Abstract:
A method of playing a casino table game utilizes a Baccarat style card game uniquely modified to eliminate the slow play and confusing rules of standard Baccarat, combined with three card poker and dice play, with up to an additional four to six card bonus feature. Players have an opportunity to be active participants in the action, while being provided with different wagering options in one round of the game, as well as the option of participating in a progressive jackpot. In addition, the house is assured of collecting its house percentage, a traditional problem in standard Baccarat, while still maintaining its gaming advantage.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is generally directed to casino wagering games. More particularly, the invention discloses a method of playing a unique casino table wagering game which combines the features of several betting games in order to enhance the interest and enjoyment of players, while providing incentives to the house to promote the new game. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Casino games of chance have specific features which make them attractive, both to the players and the house. Such games must be interesting, fun, easy to learn, easy to understand and play, and most importantly, present the players with a fair expectation or at least a belief of winning. That is, games of chance should have reasonable odds which only slightly favor the house. Betting games should also be exciting in pitting each player against the other players, as well as the house. The greater number of wagering options in each game, including bonus bets, the better, both for the player and the house. In addition, games which have a large progressive jackpot payout create even more player excitement and interest. 
         [0003]    Of course, the house has a keen interest in the types of games of chance it offers. There must be an acceptable house advantage, assurance of collecting commissions, and a quick turnaround time between waging games to allow as many games to be played as possible during a given period of time. The house is also interested in attracting a large number of players at each table. In addition, progressive pots are lucrative for the house in that they result in more players and increased wagering. Of course, these objectives must be accomplished with relatively low overhead and, consequently the gaming equipment must be basic, economical to manufacture, and easy to maintain. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is thus the object of the present invention to provide a method of playing a casino table game which utilizes a Baccarat style card game uniquely modified to eliminate the slow play and confusing rules of standard Baccarat, combined with poker and dice play. Players have an opportunity to be active participants in the action, while being provided with different wagering options, as many as ten, in one round of the game, as well as the option of participating in a progressive jackpot. In addition, the house is assured of collecting its commission, a traditional problem in standard Baccarat, while still maintaining its gaming advantage, although some casinos may still prefer to have house percentages or commissions taken out. 
         [0005]    The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  shows the casino table design for the gaming method of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows an alternate casino table design for the gaming method of the present invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows a representative player table location for the casino table shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  shows a representative player table location for the casino table shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  shows additional components utilized in the gaming method of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  shows the jackpot board used in conjunction with the gaming method of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The casino gaming method of the present invention employs casino table  100  on which there are six designated player locations  1 - 6 . Each player location is provided with two cumulative dice numbers, based on the cumulative total sum of three rolled dice. That is, player location  1  is given cumulative dice numbers  10  and  18 , play location  2  is given cumulative dice numbers  3  and  11 , player location  3  is given cumulative dice numbers  4  and  12 , player location  4  is given cumulative dice numbers  5  and  13 , player location  5  is given cumulative dice numbers  6  and  14 , and player location  6  is given cumulative dice numbers  7  and  15 . The house or the dealer is assigned cumulative dice numbers  8 ,  9 ,  16  and  17 ,  8  and  9  being “kill numbers”. Player location lights  1 - 6  and kill number lights  8  and  9  are shown at the lower left corner of table  100  in  FIG. 1  and on jackpot bonus board  300  in  FIG. 6 , described hereinafter. Table  100  also comprises dealer check tray  30  with keypad  32  for inputting the bonus bets of six players and the rolls of the dice and drop box or money tray  34 . Card shoe location  35  and dice view area  37  are also provided. 
         [0013]    As seen more particularly in  FIG. 3  with regard to player table location  3 , each player location comprises designated wagering areas for placing bets on the various gaming aspects of the overall casino game, as are described in detail hereinafter. Table  100  provides for areas  20  and  21  to make Baccarat Player/Banker bets, area  22  to make tie bets, areas  23  and  24  to make baccarat hands eligible for any poker bonus payouts, and areas  25 - 29  for making dice bets. 
         [0014]      FIG. 2  shows an alternate casino table design. Casino table  200  employs two row player locations, rather than the four row player locations of  FIG. 1 . As seen more particularly in  FIG. 4  with regard to play location  3 , Baccarat Player/Banker bets areas  20   a  and  21   a  on casino table  200  are on the same row, as are areas  23   a  and  24   a  designated to make baccarat hands eligible for any poker bonus payouts. Areas  25   a  and  26   b  for placing odd and even dice bets are also located on the same row on casino table  200 . Also shown are areas  22   a  for tie Baccarat bets and  27   b - 29   b  for dice bets. 
         [0015]      FIG. 5  shows the three dice used in the gaming method: two identical, standard one to six numbered dice of the same color  40  and  42 , and the bonus or “Dragon&#39;s Eye” dice  44 , also with standard numbering, but of a different color, preferably red. Shaker  46  with base  47  and removeable cover  48  is employed for shaking and rolling the dice. “Dragon&#39;s Eye” or red dice  44  can also be used independently of the other dice  40  and  42  in determining spot location. (Die  44  is already being used for determining odd or even wager wins, as described hereinafter). For example, if die  44  rolls a 3, the corresponding player location light number 3 on table  100  in  FIG. 1  and on bonus board  300  of  FIG. 6  will light up. 
         [0016]    While the drawings and the herein discussion center around the use of three dice, it is contemplated that more than three dice can be used for these features of the gaming method of the present invention. 
         [0017]    The subject casino gaming method consists of separate rounds of play. A round of play begins with each player located in player locations  1 - 6  making optional bets by placing chips on the wagering areas on table  100  (or table configuration  200 ). For instance a player may wager on a Baccarat Player hand, Banker hand, or Tie, in the Baccarat styled game of the present invention, by placing a bet on Baccarat Player area  20 , on Banker area  21 , or on Tie area  22 . A player may also wager on the occurrence of three, four, five, or six card poker hands showing in the Baccarat Player hand and/or the Baccarat Banker hand by placing a bet on bonus areas  23  and/or  24 . A player may also make bets that a roll of a dice will result in an odd number sum, area  25 , an even number sum, area  26 , two dice  40  and  42  showing the same numbers, double area  29 , and/or three dice  40 ,  42  and  44  all showing the same numbers, triple area  27 . An optional dice bet may be placed on dice area  28  to participate in bonus board action  FIG. 6 . 
         [0018]    Thus, the present invention provides a player with a wide variety of wagering options. The player can place as few as one bet at his or her player location or, by wagering in the unique Baccarat styled game (either Player hand, Banker hand or Tie), one or both of the three, four, five, or six card Poker hands, and the four dice options presented by the roll of the dice, a player can place as many as ten or more bets during one round of the game. This provides added interest and excitement for players and increased revenues for the house, as will be discussed in detail hereinafter. 
         [0019]    As discussed above, the casino gaming method of the present invention consists of a round of play which begins with each player located in player locations  1 - 6  making wagers by placing their bets on wagering areas  20 - 29 . Once the bets are made, the dealer collects the dice bonus bets, e.g. bets on dice areas  28  in  FIGS. 3 and 28   a  in  FIG. 4 , which are electronically or manually inputted into keypad  32 , electrically entered to a local or interne connection venue progressively linked to a main jackpot bonus board  300 . 
         [0020]    The dealer then will shake shaker  46 , optimally five times, before revealing the shaken dice on dice view area  37  on table  100 . The dice play procedure continues as disclosed in detail in co-pending application Ser. No. 12/592,763, whose subject matter is fully incorporated by reference herein, or alternatively by the method of play of using “Dragon&#39;s Eye” bonus dice  44  for odd and even wagers and for spot location, as more particularly set forth hereinafter. 
         [0021]    Particular reference is made to  FIG. 6 , which shows electronic jackpot bonus board  300  which is to be used for the progressive jackpot, based on rolls of dice  40 ,  42  and “Dragon&#39;s Eye” bonus dice  44 . Players who place optional dice bets on dice area  28  may participate in this jackpot bonus board action. Bonus board  300  has designated player sections  1 A,  2 A,  3 A,  4 A,  5 A, and  6 A, corresponding to player locations  1 - 6  on table  100 . Each section is divided into seven LEVELS, with appropriately colored lights labeled  1 - 7 . 
         [0022]    When the cumulative total for the three dice  40 ,  42 , and  44  corresponds to a given player location, a light on the first LEVEL  1  of that location will light up. See, e.g. light  50  in  FIG. 6 , which lights up in section  3 A when the total of the three dice totals either a  4  or a  12 . If the total of the three dice totals either a  3  or an  11 , light  52  in section  2 A will light up. If the dice total a  3  or  11  a second time, light  54  will light up. In illustrative  FIG. 6 , board  300  shows that the dice have hit the corresponding numbers for sections  1 A and  2 A (i.e. a 10 and 18, and 3 and 11 respectively) twice, the corresponding numbers for section  3 A once, the corresponding numbers for section  4 A five times, the corresponding numbers for section  5 A three times, and the corresponding numbers for section  6 A seven times. The board is reset if one player section, here  6 A, reaches the seventh LEVEL. 
         [0023]    In addition to the method of play noted above, a single die representation such as die  44  can be used when the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 on the roll of single dice  44  hits and corresponds to a given player location. A light on the first LEVEL  1  of that location will light up. See, e.g. light  50  in  FIG. 6 , which lights up in section  3 A when dice  44  hits on  3 . If the roll of dice  44  hits  2  once, light  52  in section  2 A will light up. If it hits 2 a second time, light  54  will light up. In illustrative  FIG. 6 , board  300  shows that dice  44  has hit the numbers 1 and 2 twice, the number 3 once, the number 4 five times, the number 5 three times, and the number 6 seven times. The board is reset if one player section, here  6 A, reaches the seventh LEVEL. 
         [0024]    When the first level light in a given player section comes on, the player in that location is paid straight up, i.e. 1 to 1. If the player section hits a second time, there will be a bonus payout, e.g. $5.00. It is anticipated that, for example, the third LEVEL payout will be $25.00; the fourth LEVEL payout will be $100.00; the fifth LEVEL payout will be $500.00; the sixth LEVEL payout will be $2,500.00; and the seventh LEVEL payout will be $5,000.00. 
         [0025]    If upon the roll of dice  40 ,  42 , and  44 , there is a triple, that is all dice show the same number, light  56  is lit and those players who have placed a wager on dice area  28  for bonus board action and on triple area  27  will be paid 30 to 1. Back to back triple rolls will cause light  58  to be lit and will pay 300 to 1 and three consecutive triple rolls will cause light  60  to be lit and pay 3000 to 1. All odds are examples and can be set by the house as desired. 
         [0026]    In the event there is a progressive jackpot, a bonus will be paid on a fourth consecutive triple. Any bonus wagers can be made into a progressive bonus. For instance, three cycles of designated player sections  1 A- 6 A can win a progressive bonus. If a designated player section hits eight times before a kill number (discussed below) is rolled, there also can be a progressive winner. 
         [0027]    Most critical to the jackpot and progressive games is that all action and payouts must occur before a “kill” number, that is numbers 8 or 9, derived from the cumulative sum of dice  40 ,  42 , and  44 , is rolled, and/or doubles on dice  40  and  42 . If a kill number comes up, bonus board  300  is reset. The only exception is that the triple bonus does not get reset. 
         [0028]    After dice  40 ,  42 , and  44  have been rolled and their sums announced for bonus board location, odd and even wagers will be acted upon based on the some of  40 ,  42 , and  44 , and/or the result of die  44  as discussed with regard to  FIG. 6 . Odd wagers will lose their dice bets from area  25 , if the cumulative sum of the dice is even, and those who made even bets will win their even bets, area  26 . In like manner, those players who wagered even will lose their dice bets from area  26 , if the cumulative sum of the dice is odd, and those who made odd bets will win their odd bets. Dice odd and even bets will pay 1 to 1. All even money wagers will lose if, upon rolling the dice, all three dice display the same number (triples). 
         [0029]    Similarly, players who wagered on the occurrences of doubles and triples on areas  27  and  29  showing on the rolled dice will have their bets collected or paid out, as appropriate. Doubles payout 5 to 1 and triples 30 to 1. 
         [0030]    The dealer will next begin dealing cards from card shoe  35  for the Baccarat styled game of the present invention. Standard playing cards, which may or may not include jokers in the discretion of the house, are used. The Player hand and the Banker hand are each dealt two cards, the cards being placed on the Player and Banker locations on table  100 . The dealer will then display the Player hand and then the Banker hand. The point values of each set of two dealt cards are then totaled. In accordance with the invention, and identical to standard Baccarat, all cards count as face value, i.e. Ace equals a point value of 1, deuce equals 2, etc. The tens and face cards or any combination of these cards have zero value. The sum of the cards&#39; point value cannot exceed 9. As examples: 8+4=2; Queen+Ace=1; Ace+4=5; 2+4=6. A point value of a hand which totals 8 or 9 is called a “Natural”. 
         [0031]    However, in standard Baccarat there are rigid and different rules for when the Player hand will hit and stand and when the Banker hand will hit and stand. That is when the point value of the initial two cards in the Player hand in standard Baccarat totals 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, the hand automatically will be dealt a third card. When the point value of the initial two cards in the Player hand totals 6 or 7, no third card will be dealt to the hand. A Player hand with a total point value for the two cards of 8 or 9, a Natural, also does not receive a third card. 
         [0032]    As to Banker hand, the number and rationale underlying when a third card is dealt is even more complex. When the point value of the initial two cards in the Banker hand totals 0, 1, or 2, a third card is dealt unless the hand is composed of a natural 8 or 9. When the two cards in the Banker hand have a total point value of 3, a third card is dealt to the hand only if the third card dealt to the Player hand has a point value of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 0. No card is dealt to the Banker hand if the third card dealt to the Player hand has a point value of  8 . When the point value of the initial two cards in the Banker hand totals 4, a third card is dealt to the hand only if the third card dealt to the Player hand has a point value of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. No card is dealt to the Banker hand if the third card dealt to the Player hand has a point value of 1, 8, 9, or 0. When the point value of the initial two cards in the Banker hand totals 5, a third card is dealt to the hand only if the third card dealt to the Player hand has a point value of 4, 5, 6, or 7. No card is dealt to the Banker hand if the third card dealt to the Player hand has a point value of 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, or 0. When the point value of the initial two cards in the Banker hand totals 6, a third card is dealt to the hand only if the third card dealt to the Player hand has a point value of 6 or 7. No card is dealt to the Banker hand if the third card dealt to the Player hand has a point value of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, or 0. When the two cards in the Banker hand have a total point value of 7, no card is dealt to the Banker hand. Like the Player hand, if there is a total point value of 8 or 9 in the two cards initially dealt to the Banker hand, no third card is dealt. 
         [0033]    It is evident that these standard rules of Baccarat are complicated and confusing. As a practical matter, they make no sense to the average casino player and, as a result, this player will not frequent the Baccarat tables. In addition, when the Banker wins, the dealer must mark up the commission in the commission box and keep track of the commissions until the end of the card shoe from which cards are being dealt, or until the player decides to leave the game. This presents the additional problems of players sneaking away from the game without paying commissions or playing to the end of the game and then not having sufficient money to pay the commission. 
         [0034]    The modified Baccarat styled game of the present invention addresses and solves all these problems, while still retaining the essence of Baccarat. For instance, like standard Baccarat, if either the Player hand or the Banker hand or both of the hands show a Natural, no further cards are dealt. However unlike Baccarat, if there is no Natural, a third card will always be dealt to both the Player hand and the Banker hand. The point value of the Player hand and the Banker hand are compared and, between the two, the hand closest to nine is the winner. The players who wagered on this hand are the winners and are paid even money. Tie bets, that is if the point values of the Player hand and the Banker hand are the same, will pay 8 to 1. 
         [0035]    If the Player hand and/or the Banker hand shows a three card poker hand, as defined below, any player who placed a bonus bet on bonus area  23  of Player area  20  and/or bonus area  24  of Banker area  21 , a three card poker bonus hand winner. 
         [0036]    For purpose of the three card poker bonus: 
         [0037]    A “Pair” is a hand consisting of two cards of the same rank. It pays 1 to 1. 
         [0038]    A “Straight” is a hand consisting of three cards in sequential number order, provided that an ace may not be combined with a two or a king. It pays 4 to 1. 
         [0039]    A “Flush” is a hand consisting of three cards all of the same suit, not in sequential number order. It pays 6 to 1. 
         [0040]    “Three-of-a-Kind” is a hand consisting of three cards of the same rank. It pays 30 to 1. 
         [0041]    A “Straight-Flush” is a hand, other than a “Mini-Royal”, consisting of three cards all of the same suit in sequential number order. It pays 40 to 1. 
         [0042]    A “Mini-Royal” is a hand consisting of an ace, king, and queen, all of the same suit. It pays 50 to 1. 
         [0043]    Odds for three, four, five or six card combinations of the above can be determined at the casino&#39;s discretion. 
         [0044]    The winners of the three, four, five, or six card poker bonus are paid as per the referenced odds. If there is no winning three card poker hands (or two card hand, if either the Player or Banker hand is a Natural), these bonus bets are collected for the house. With this final action, the round of play is completed and a new round of play, again beginning with the placing of optional bets, commences. 
         [0045]    The casino game of the present invention thus provides several different games in one round of play, including a much simplified and appealing Baccarat styled game. There are also a variety of betting and bonus options, adding significant interest and excitement for the players and ensuring for enhanced revenue for the house. 
         [0046]    The enhanced revenue is a function not only of the fact that there will be an increase in participating players who will be attached to the game, but also from the surety of collecting commissions and the types of bets being made verses the realistic chances of winning these bets. The house will now be in a position to collect its percentage or commissions during the round of play, i.e. after the dice portion of the round. The problem of keeping track of house percentage or commissions until the end of the game or of a player attempting to sneak out after the game is completed without paying the percentage or commission is eliminated. In addition, added revenue will be obtained by the increased wagering on bets with longer odds. For instance the odds of a triple on the roll of three dice gives the house a significant advantage. The newest culture in gaming is the higher progressive jackpot bonus frenzy. Adding jackpot bonus feature to this game will create heightened player interest. 
         [0047]    While the pay out odds disclosed herein are those optimally contemplated in the casino game of the present invention, the game should not be restricted to utilizing these odds. It is contemplated that odds will be set to accommodate particular requirements and preferences of the house. 
         [0048]    Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.