Abstract:
A method of playing a card game is disclosed. The method comprising: placing wagers by each participating player on each betting spots associated with each participating player; dealing a hand of cards to all players; dividing the hand of cards by each participating player to form a separate player hand for each betting spots associated with each participating player; placing each separate player hands on an associated betting spot for each participating player; determining winning hand for each betting spot; and paying each player having the winning hand for each betting spot.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates generally to a casino style card game and method therefor, and more particularly to poker-style games and methods that provide opportunities for a player to play and wager on multiple hands.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Casino owners are always interested in introducing new casino games that generate customer interest and that are more beneficial for the casino house. However, in order to generate a customer&#39;s interest, wagering games, particularly those intended primarily for play in casinos, should provide players with a sense of participation and control, the opportunity to make decisions,.and reasonable odds of winning, even though the odds favor the casino, house, dealer or banker. The game must also meet the requirements of regulatory agencies. More particularly, the game must sustain the interest of the player as long as possible in order to optimize the time spent by the player at the table and his participation in the game.  
         [0005]     Poker is presently becoming one of the most popular casino card games around. Presently, there are numerous different variations of poker that are played in the casinos. However, a problem with many casino poker games is that they can be a bit too complex for the average casino gambler. The complexity of many poker games prevent many people from participating. Furthermore, in many current poker games, the rules of the game are set such that there is only one way to play, and win, the game. This can detract from the thrill of playing the game, as well as take away from the player the ability to make some potentially important strategic decisions. A further problem with present casino poker games is that only one hand can be played at a time or that only a single hand can win for each round.  
         [0006]     Therefore, there is a need for a new casino card game. The casino card game must overcome the problems associated with prior art casino card games. The new casino card game must be easy for new players to understand. The new casino card game must further have options regarding how a player can play the game. The new casino card game must allow players to play multiple hands and have multiple winning hands in one round. The new casino card game must also allow the outcome of the game to be quickly determined.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new casino card game.  
         [0008]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a casino card game that overcomes the problems associated with prior art casino card games.  
         [0009]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new casino card game that is easy for new players to understand.  
         [0010]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new casino card game that has options regarding how a player can play the game.  
         [0011]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new casino card game that allows players to play multiple hands and have multiple winning hands in one round.  
         [0012]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new casino card game that allows the outcome of the game to be quickly determined.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0013]     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of playing a card game is disclosed. The method comprising: placing wagers by each participating player on each betting spots associated with each participating player; dealing a hand of cards to all players; dividing the hand of cards by each participating player to form a separate player hand for each betting spots associated with each participating player; placing each separate player hands on an associated betting spot for each participating player; determining winning hand for each betting spot; and paying each player having the winning hand for each betting spot.  
         [0014]     The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the playing table used in the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a lose-up view of a player&#39;s playing area on the playing table depicted in  FIG. 1   
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]     Referring now to the  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a casino card table  10  (hereinafter table  10 ) is shown. The table  10  is used for playing a new card game which will be described below. The table  10  has six player spots  12 . Each player spot  12  will have three player hand spots  14  labeled “1”, “2”, and “3” respectively. Next to each player hand spot  14  is a betting spot  16  associated with that respective player hand spot  14 . Thus, player hand spot  14  labeled “1” will have an associated betting spot  16 A located to the side of label “1”, player hand spot  14  labeled “2” will have an associated betting spot  16 B located to the side of label “2”, and player hand spot  14  labeled “3” will have an associated betting spot  16 C located to the side of label “3”.  
         [0019]     The casino card game is played on the casino card table  10  using one or more standard card decks. If only a single standard card deck is used, the Jokers are to be left in the deck to ensure enough cards are available to deal three hands for all six player spots  12 . The casino card game is played with at least two players. The casino card table  10  is shown with six player spots  12 . However, this should not be seen to limit the scope of the present invention. A casino card table  10  may be designed to host more than 6 players. While the casino card game will be described for use with six player spots  12 , different numbers of player spots  12  may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0020]     Once all players have been seated at a respective player spot  12 , the house dealer will have all players place an ante in order to play. The ante may be placed anywhere on the casino card table  10 . In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the ante is placed on the corresponding number of the player (i.e., Player 1 places the ante on label “1”, etc.) A player will then place a bet for each of the three hands to be dealt to the player. Each bet will be placed on the betting spot  16  associated with each respective player hand spot  14 . Thus, a player will place a bet for hand “1” on betting spot  16 A, a bet for hand “2” on betting spot  16 B, and located to the side of label “2”, and a bet for hand “3” on betting spot  16 C.  
         [0021]     The house dealer will then shuffle the playing cards and cut the cards. The house dealer will then deal the cards. The playing cards may be dealt in a variety of different manners. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the-dealer will deal the playing cards to form six piles. The house dealer may deal the playing cards going in a clockwise or counterclockwise motion until all the playing cards are distributed. Alternatively, the dealer may go from right to left and then left to right until all the playing cards are distributed. Or, the dealer may go from left to right and then right to left until all the playing cards are distributed. The above are given as examples and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.  
         [0022]     Once the all the playing cards are distributed, each pile will have nine playing cards. Each of the six piles will then be given to one of the six player spots  12 . The manner in which a particular card pile is given to a particular player spot  12  may take on many different forms. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a “dealer button” is given to one of the players. The player with the “dealer button” will then pick a number between one and six. The house dealer will then place a “first button” on top of that particular player spot  12  number on the casino card table  10 . The player with the “dealer button” will then be given a die. The die is a standard die with six sides, each side having a different number from one to six. The player with the “dealer button” will roll the die. The number that is rolled is where the first pile of cards will be dealt. Thus, if the number “3” is rolled, the first pile of cards is placed on player spot  12  “3”. The rest of the piles are delivered to the remaining player spots  12  going in a clockwise manner (clockwise in relation to the house dealer).  
         [0023]     Each player will now have nine cards. Each player will divide his/her nine cards into three separate, three card hands. The player&#39;s third best hand will be placed in the player hand spot  14  labeled “1”. The player&#39;s second best hand will be placed in the player hand spot  14  labeled “2”. The player&#39;s best hand will be placed in the player hand spot  14  labeled “3”. If there is no player at a designated player spot  12 , the pile of cards will remain untouched and unturned. Any player may play the cards at an open spot, however, if a player decides to play the cards at an open spot, that player cannot play the cards where he/she is currently seated.  
         [0024]     All players will then show their respective poker hand that are placed in the player hand spot  14  labeled “1”. Whoever has the highest hand for the player hand spot  14  labeled “1” will win the wages that were place for hand “1” on betting spot  16 A. If two players have equal hands, then the wages that were place for hand “1” on betting spot  16 A will be evenly split. If the wages that were place for hand “1” on betting spot  16 A can not be evenly split (odd number of chips), the odd chip out will be given to the winner of the next hand.  
         [0025]     All players will then show their respective hand that are placed in the player hand spot  14  labeled “2”. Whoever has the highest hand for the player hand spot  14  labeled “2” will win the wages that were place for hand “2” on betting spot  16 B. If two players have equal hands, then the wages that were place for hand “2” on betting spot  16 B will be evenly split. If the wages that were place for hand “2” on betting spot  16 B can not be evenly split (odd number of chips), the odd chip out will be given to the winner of the next hand.  
         [0026]     All players will then show their respective hand that are placed in the player hand spot  14  labeled “3”. Whoever has the highest hand for the player hand spot  14  labeled “3” will win the wages that were place for hand “3” on betting spot  16 C. If two players have equal hands, then the wages that were place for hand “3” on betting spot  16 C will be evenly split. If the wages that were place for hand “3” on betting spot  16 B can not be evenly split (odd number of chips), the odd chip out will be given to the winner of the next hand in the next round.  
         [0027]     Once all the players&#39; hands are opened, the winning hands for player hand spot  14  labeled “1”, player hand spot  14  labeled “2”, and player hand spot  14  labeled “3” will face the house dealer. The losing players&#39; hands will be turned sideways and face up. The house dealer will then take the wages that were place for hand “1” on betting spot  16 A. The house dealer will pick up the playing cards associated with the losing poker hands for the player hand spots  14  labeled “1”. The house dealer will then disburse the wages to the player(s) with the winning hand(s) for the player hand spot  14  labeled “1” and then pick up the playing card associated with the winning poker hand. The same procedure will happen for the poker hands associated with player hand spots  14  labeled “2”, and player hand spots  14  labeled “3”.  
         [0028]     When all winning hands have been paid, the dealer will collect the ante and place the ante in a collection box. The house dealer will then move the “dealer button” to the next player. The next player could be the person seated to the right or left of the current player with the “dealer button”. The next player is selected according to house rules.  
         [0029]     In ranking the different hands, the main object is to use the cards to form hands of three of a kind, straight flush, or a regular straight. If one is unable to make one of the above hands, one tires to arrange the cards to add up to nine. Kings, Queens, Jacks and 10 can be played as zero if not used for three of a kind, straight flush, or a regular straight. For three of a kind, the hand ranks are from three aces (highest) to three twos (lowest). For a straight flush or a regular straight, the hands rank from Ace, King Queen (highest) to three, two, ace (lowest). For point hands, a total of nine points is the highest while zero points is the lowest. If the added point value exceeds nine points, the player subtracts 10 points. For example, if a player&#39;s hand is 7 of Clubs, 7 of Hearts, and a 5 of Hearts, the point value would be nine points. As another example, if a player has a 5 of Spades, a 5 of Clubs, and a 6 of Diamonds, the point value would be 6.  
         [0030]     In general, Jokers are to be used to establish three of a kind, a straight flush or a regular straight, or to fill in a number to add up to nine. Three of a kind will beat a straight flush, a regular straight, or any point hand from nine to zero. A straight flush will beat a regular straight or any point hand from nine to zero. All straight flushes are of equal value. Pairs are of “no value” and a flush is of “no value”.  
         [0031]     Below is a sample hand to further explain the game. Six player are dealt the following six hands. 
    Player 1: 2-Spades, 3-Hearts, 4-Hearts, 4-Spades, 4-Diamonds, 5-Diamonds, Jack-Spades, Ace-Hearts, and Joker.     Player 2: 2-Clubs, 4-Spades, 5-Spades, 6-Diamonds, 7-Diamonds, 8-Clubs, 9-Spades, 10-Clubs, Queen-Hearts.     Player 3: 2-Diamonds, 6-Spades, 7-Spades, 8-Diamonds, 9-Hearts, Queen-Diamonds, Queen-Spades, King-Hearts, Joker.     Player 4: 7-Clubs, 7-Hearts, 8-Clubs, 9-Clubs, 9-Diamonds, 10-Hearts, Jack-Hearts, Jack-Spades, Queen-Clubs.     Player 5: 3-Clubs, 6-Hearts, 10-Spades, Jack-Diamonds, King-Spades, King-Diamonds, King-Clubs, Ace-Spades, Ace-Clubs.     Player 6: 2-Hearts, 3-Spades, 3-Diamonds, 5-Hearts, 5-Clubs, 6-Clubs, 8-Spades, 10-Diamonds, Ace-Diamonds.    
 
         [0038]     Player 1 Hands:  
                                                       Hand   Ranking   Win or Lose                           1: Js-5d-2s   Seven Points   Lost To Player 2           2: 3h-Joker-Ah   Three High Straight   Winner Hand 2               Flush           3: 4h-4d-4s   Three Fours (3 of a   Lost To Player 5               kind)                      
 
         [0039]     Player 2 Hands:  
                                                       Hand   Ranking   Win or Lose                           1: Qh-7d-2c   Nine Points (Q   Winner Hand 1               counts as zero)           2: 6d-5s-4s   Six High Straight   Lost To Player 1           3: 10c-9s-8c   Ten High Straight   Lost To Player 5                      
 
         [0040]     Player 3 Hands:  
                                                       Hands   Rankings   Win or Lose                           1: Kh-6s-2d   Eight Points (K   Lost To Seat 2               counts as zero)           2: 9h-8d-7s   Nine High Straight   Lost To Seat 1           3: Qs-Joker-Qd   Three Q (3 of a   Lost To Seat 5               kind)                      
 
         [0041]     Player 4 Hands:  
                                                       Hands   Rankings   Win or Lose                           1: Jh-9d-7c   Six Points (J counts   Lost To Seat 2               as zero)           2: 9c-8c-7h   Nine High Straight   Lost To Seat 1           3: Qc-Js-10h   Queen High Straight   Lost To Seat 5                      
 
         [0042]     Player 5 Hands:  
                                                       Hands   Rankings   Win or Lose                           1: Jd-As-Ac   Two Points (A counts   Lost To Seat 2               as one, J as zero)           2: 10s-6h-3c   Nine Points (10   Lost To Seat 1               counts as zero)           3: Ks-Kd-Kc   Three Kings (3 of a   Winner Hand 3               kind)                      
 
         [0043]     Player 6 Hands:  
                                                       Hands   Rankings   Win or Lose                           1: 8s-5h-5c   Eight Points   Lost To Seat 2           2: 10d-6c-3s   Nine Points (10   Lost To Seat 1               counts as zero)           3: 3d-2h-Ad   Three High Straight   Lost To Seat 5                      
 
         [0044]     The game may further include different side bets or jackpots. The jackpots offered may be single player jackpots or player to player jackpots. For single player jackpots, each player is given an option to buy into the jackpot. If a player does not wish to buy into the jackpot, he/she can still play but will not receive the jackpot even if he/she has a jackpot hand. The house can set the options for the jackpot. For example, the jackpot may be any player who obtains three Kings.  
         [0045]     Alternatively, the jackpot may be given to any player who obtains a nine card straight flush. The above are given as examples, and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. Again, the house has the ability to set which hands or sets of card will qualify as a winning the jackpot. If no player wins the jackpot, the house collects the money and the jackpot will continue to grow until a player obtains a winning jackpot hand.  
         [0046]     For player to player jackpots,-each player will have a choice to play for the jackpot or not. Again, the house can set the rules for winning the player to player jackpots. For example, the jackpot may be a player who wins all three hands during one round. If a player does not win all three hands, then the house collects the money and the jackpot will continue to grow. The above is given as an example and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.  
         [0047]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.