Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of playing a card game including categorising cards into different types; providing a game table with a number of regions for players to place bets on; allowing players to place bets in relation to the type of cards to be dealt; dealing cards, one for each of the regions on the gaming table; determining if the player&#39;s bet has achieved a winning outcome in relation to those cards; and awarding a prize to the player who has a winning outcome according to predetermined rules of the game. The game may further include an auxiliary including: determining, based on the cards dealt, whether a winning outcome for the auxiliary game has been achieved by a player; and awarding a prize to that player in accordance with predetermined rules of the game.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to card games, particularly card game which allows players to place wagers to match the type of cards that will be drawn during the game. 
       BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Card games are popular as wagering games. Most of the card games available in the casinos involve a dealer and one or more players, wherein each player plays against the dealer or the house in order to win the wager. One of the more popular card games, especially for gambling or gaming uses in the casinos, is the card game known as baccarat wherein a player is trying to match an outcome of the game. The game provides three options for players to place wagers on, they are player&#39;s hand, banker&#39;s hands or tie. The casino or house makes an income from the percentage return to the players. 
         [0003]    It is the objective of the present invention to provide additional alternative card game for players. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of playing a betting game involving at least one deck of playing cards, the method including the steps of: 
         [0005]    determining a first, single predetermined type of card of the deck, a plurality of second predetermined types of cards from the deck not being of the first predetermined type, and a plurality of cards of third predetermined types, being the remaining cards of the deck; 
         [0006]    providing a playing surface, the surface having a plurality of demarcated betting regions, each region having one sub-region with indicia indicating that that sub-region is associated with said first pre-determined type of card, one further sub-region with indicia indicating that that sub-region is associated with said second predetermined types of card, and one further sub-region with indicia indicating that that sub-region is associated with said third predetermined types of card; 
         [0007]    allowing a player to selectively place bets in the game by placing at least one betting marker on at least one of the sub-regions according to the player&#39;s choice; 
         [0008]    dealing a plurality of cards, one for each of the regions; 
         [0009]    if the player has placed a bet by placing at least one betting marker on a particular sub-region, and if the particular card dealt for the region in which that sub-region is located corresponds to the predetermined type of card associated with said particular sub-region, determining that the player has achieved a winning outcome; and 
         [0010]    on determining that the player has achieved a winning outcome, awarding a prize to the player according to predetermined rules of the game. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the predetermined types of card are determined by the point-values of the cards in the case of non-picture cards and, in the case of picture cards, by the type of picture card. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the first predetermined type of card consists of the 8-card, the second predetermined types of card consists of the group of cards being the 2-card to the 7-card, and the third predetermined types of card consists of a group of cards being the 9-card, 10-card, Jack, Queen, king and Ace. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the card of the first card portion includes indicia indicating that card as a feature card, the second card portion consists of the 2-card to the 7-card, and the third card portion consists of the 9-card, 10-card, Jack, Queen, king and Ace. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the said game includes an auxiliary game, and the method includes the steps of: 
         [0015]    determining, based on the plurality of cards dealt, whether a predetermined winning outcome for the auxiliary game has been achieved by a player; and 
         [0016]    if a winning outcome for the auxiliary game has been achieved, awarding a prize to that player in accordance with predetermined rules of the game. 
         [0017]    Preferably, a player is only deemed eligible to play the auxiliary game where: 
         [0018]    a first condition is met, namely that the player places a bet by placing a betting marker in a sub-region of a particular region, that sub-region being associated with said first predetermined type of card; and 
         [0019]    a second condition is met, namely the card dealt for that region is a said first predetermined type of card. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the meeting of said first and second conditions also constitutes a winning outcome. 
         [0021]    Preferably, a winning outcome is achieved where a predetermined multiple of said first predetermined type of card is dealt in the game. 
         [0022]    Preferably, said predetermined multiple is at least three. 
         [0023]    It is preferred that the method of playing a betting game include the step of determining at least one of said cards to be a wild card, wherein, if it is determined that a player has achieved a winning outcome in relation to a dealt wild card, the prize awarded is determined based on the predetermined rules of the game relating to the wild card. 
         [0024]    Preferably, the step of determining at least one of said cards to be a wild card is performed by an electronic system which includes a random number generator. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the card game is played on an electronically operable system. 
         [0026]    Preferably, said electronically operable system includes at least one of: a gaming machine, a hand-held gaming device and the Internet. 
         [0027]    In this specification, where reference is made to the point-value, point score, or the like, in relation to playing cards, this refers to the numerical value normally associated with such cards. Thus, each of the 2-card through to the 10-card has a numerical value corresponding with its face value (i.e. the 2-cards has a value of 2, the 3-card has a value of  3 , and so on). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0028]    The invention is now described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing,  FIG. 1 , which is a diagrammatic illustration of a card gaming table for playing a card game according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    The present invention relates to a card game which involves the use of a deck of regular playing cards or customised playing cards based on regular cards. 
         [0030]    According to a preferred embodiment, the  8 -card is regarded as being a “central” card with those cards having lower numerical values (i.e. 2 to 7) being “low” cards, and the remaining cards, which have higher numerical values or which are picture cards (i.e. 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace) being “high” cards. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment, the 8 is referred to by another name to indicate that it is a special feature card—for example, as the “dragon” card. It will be appreciated that the deck of cards in this case will be a customised deck as mentioned above. Other combinations of feature cards may be used instead such as three “red dragon” cards and a single “gold dragon card” in place of the four usual 8-cards. The use of such varied feature cards (as opposed to the four usual 8-cards is that they provide scope for adjusting the odds of the game depending on the colour of the feature card drawn. The feature card may alternatively be presented by other symbols, such as a tiger, tower, etc. 
         [0032]    The introduction of the feature cards to the game allows the house or casino to adjust the odds of winning outcomes and hence vary the amount of jackpot to be paid accordingly. In a preferred embodiment, instead of 4×8 (2 red, 2 black), there may be 3 red and 1 gold dragon cards. This changes the odds of the game and hence a higher pay out may be allocated to the winning outcome for a gold dragon is dealt. 
         [0033]    The game is played on a card table  100  with demarcations defining regions which constitute betting boxes generally designated  101 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , there are seven betting boxes, referred to as boxes 1 to 7, and designated  101 . 1  to  101 . 7 . 
         [0034]    These are provided for players to place bets—by placing betting markers in the boxes. The betting markers are typically casino chips or coloured chips although other types of marker, such as cash, may be used. 
         [0035]    Each box has one sub-region  102  for placing bets for high cards, another sub-region  103  for placing bets for low cards, and a third sub-region  104  for placing bets for the 8-card. 
         [0036]    The bets are placed by the players in the desired sub-regions. Each bet relates to whether the dealer will, in relation to each bet that is placed, a card that corresponds to the point-value of the cards corresponding to the sub-regions in which the bets were placed—i.e. low cards, high cards or 8-cards. 
         [0037]    During play of the game, the player places one or more bets as outlined above. Usually, the dealer deals cards after discarding the first card. This is for security reasons, in order to ensure that the player does not derive any improper advantage. One card is dealt for each of the boxes and placed adjacent the relevant box. 
         [0038]    For a typical standard deck of cards, the probability of dealing a high or a low card is 6/13 or 0.4615, and of dealing an 8-card (or other single type of preselected feature card) is 1/13 or 0.0769. 
         [0039]    When the cards are dealt, and displayed at each of the betting boxes, if a player has placed a bet in a particular sub-region of a box corresponding to a particular type of card (i.e. low card, high card or 8-card), and if the dealt card has a point value corresponding with the type of card in relation to which the bet was placed, the player has a winning outcome. Rewards are then paid to the players having such winning outcomes. 
         [0040]    The rewards, according to the preferred embodiment, are determined according to a pay table (not shown) associated with the particular game. Typically, the prize is based on the odds of achieving a winning outcome for the particular bet placed and is a factor or multiple of the size of the bet. 
         [0041]    The reward is typically a monetary payout determined in accordance with the rules of the particular game. For example, the payout for winning on a high card bet is 1:1 in relation the monetary size of the bet placed, 1:1 for winning on a low card bet, and 10:1 for winning on a matching 8. 
         [0042]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an auxiliary (or jackpot) game is also available to the player with the game described above being referred to below as the “main” game. 
         [0043]    The auxiliary game may involve bets being placed in relation to the pattern or number of cards dealt in the main game. In this case, the table  100  preferably has a special demarcated area (not shown) on which to place the relevant betting markers for the auxiliary game. 
         [0044]    For example, bets may be placed in relation to the number of 8-cards that will be dealt in the main game. In this example, if a player bets that a certain number of 8-cards will be dealt in the main game, and that number is in fact dealt, the player will win the auxiliary game. 
         [0045]    However, according to this example, the player is only eligible to enter the auxiliary game if the player placed a bet in relation to an 8-card in the main game and won that bet—i.e. by placing a bet in a sub-region  104 . 
         [0046]    A separate bet may be required at the start of the main game for any player who wishes to participate in the auxiliary game. In another embodiment, a separate bet is not required and the player is eligible to play the auxiliary game simply by placing a bet in the main game. 
         [0047]    In the auxiliary game, the cards dealt and displayed in the betting boxes during the main game are compared with a number of card configurations or combinations which are predetermined to constitute winning outcomes of the auxiliary game. 
         [0048]    Each winning outcome provides a predefined jackpot to be paid out and the player is paid accordingly. 
         [0049]    Multiple players can participate at the same time in the same game. In addition, each player may place multiple bets. Players may choose to bet on the main game only which typically will involve a lower player risk (in the sense of losing or forfeiting the amount bet). 
         [0050]    However, adventurous players may, in addition, place bets on the auxiliary game. Although this may involve a higher player risk, it also involves a potential for winning a jackpot award having a much larger pay-out winning players than the award for the main game. 
         [0051]    Since the pay-out of the main game and the auxiliary game are determined by the same physical outcome, i.e. the set of cards actually dealt during the main game, the game is played efficiently in relation to time. 
         [0052]    In a preferred embodiment, the game can be played with a wild cards option. Wild cards are paid according to a different pay scale than that of the “normal” paytable. Wild cards can be any cards selected from the deck. At the beginning of the game, a number of wild cards are selected, usually by the dealer, and the players are informed of the wild cards. In one embodiment, two wild cards are selected. The game is then commenced as normal. When the main game is completed, if a player has a winning outcome that involves a wild card, a bonus will be awarded to the player. The bonus can be in the form of a higher pay out. 
         [0053]    Also, in one embodiment, the game comprises an electronic system which includes a random number generator which can be used for selecting the wild cards. The electronic system comprises an actuator and an output unit. Before the game starts, the dealer, or even a player, may initiate the selection process using the actuator and the random number generator will select a predetermined number of wild cards. The electronic system then indicates the selected wild cards via the output unit which can be a combination of visual (screen) and audio displays. 
         [0054]    In the selection process, the electronic system performs a predetermined number of independent processes. Each process generates a random number which is used to determine which card will be displayed on the screen and/or announced audibly. 
         [0055]    One of the processes involved in the selection is responsible for generating a card which has a value of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. Another process is responsible for generating a card which has a value of 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King or Ace. 
         [0056]    A third process is responsible for generating a card which has a value of 8 of a particular suit. Alternatively where the deck of cards contains a feature card (such as a Dragon) in place of the 8 card, it may return a feature card symbol in various colours or designs rather than suits. 
         [0057]    According to another embodiment, the game may be played electronically using an electronic gaming machine, hand-held device or other electronic technology, or even on the Internet. In this case, there may be provided an electronic display corresponding to each betting box. The displays are controlled by an electronic gaming system which is equipped with a random number generator. The system can generate a series of cards using the random number generator and reveal one card as being allocated (or dealt) to each betting box. The system allows the house or casino (or virtual house or casino) to adjust the number of decks from which the cards are drawn, the probabilities of drawing particular card configurations, etc. According to a preferred version of this embodiment, all adjustments and modifications to betting can only be made before the game starts. Once the system starts running, the dealer or operator of the system has no control over the probabilities and is not able to -manipulate the results of the game. 
         [0058]    The following examples assist in illustrating one the playing of a card game according to the invention. In each of the examples, there are three players at a card gaming table, Player 1, Player 2 and Player 3. The dealer deals from a randomly shuffled set of four decks of cards. More specifically, the dealer discards the first card and then proceeds to draw seven cards one at a time and places one card adjacent each of the betting boxes 1 to 7. 
         [0059]    According to this example, of the three types of card referred to above, the “particular” card is the 8-card, 2 to 7 are low cards, and 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace are high cards. 
         [0060]    In relation to the auxiliary game, in the present example, in order for a player to be eligible to enter the auxiliary game the player needs to place a bet for an  8 , and need to win that bet. However, even once the player has entered the auxiliary game, the jackpot is only awarded if more than one 8 has been dealt. 
         [0061]    The monetary amounts of the bets placed by the player are as follows: 
         [0062]    Player 1: seven bets at $10 each: $70; 
         [0063]    Player 2: one bet of $5; and 
         [0064]    Player 3: three bets at $20 each: $60 
       EXAMPLE 1 
     Bets Placed by the Players: 
       [0065]    Player 1: 
         [0066]    Betting Box 1: Low and 8; 
         [0067]    Betting Box 3: High; 
         [0068]    Betting Box 5: Low; 
         [0069]    Betting Box 6: Low and 8; 
         [0070]    Betting Box 7: High. 
         [0071]    Player 2: 
         [0072]    Betting Box 3: High. 
         [0073]    Player 3: 
         [0074]    Betting Box 2: Low and 8; 
         [0075]    Betting Box 3: High. 
       Cards Dealt and Allocated: 
       [0076]    A 3 is dealt to Betting box 1; 
         [0077]    A Queen is dealt to Betting box 2; 
         [0078]    A 2 is dealt to Betting box 3; 
         [0079]    An Ace is dealt to Betting box 4; 
         [0080]    A 7 is dealt to Betting box 5; 
         [0081]    An 8 is dealt to Betting box 6; and 
         [0082]    A 2 is dealt to Betting box 7. 
       Analysis: 
       [0083]    Player 1 wins on Betting Box 1 where the 3 is a low card for which the bet was placed, but loses the bet for the 8; 
         [0084]    Player 1 loses the bet on Betting Box 3 where the 2 is a low card but the bet was for a high card; 
         [0085]    Player 1 wins on Betting Box 5 where the 7 is a low card for which the bet was placed; 
         [0086]    Player 1 loses the bet for a low card in Betting Box 6 where the 8 is a neither a high card or low card but the bet was for a high card, but wins the bet for an 8 in Betting Box 6; 
         [0087]    Player 1 loses on Betting Box 7 where the 2 is a low card, but the bet was for a high card. 
         [0088]    As Player 1 has won the bet for an 8 in Betting Box 6, this player is eligible to proceed to the auxiliary game. However, in this example, the jackpot is only awarded if more than one  8  has been dealt, but as only one 8 has been dealt, no jackpot is paid out. 
         [0089]    Player 2 loses on Betting Box 3 where the 2 is a low card, but the bet was for a high card to appear. 
         [0090]    Player 3 loses on Betting Box 2 where the Queen is a high card but the bet was for a low card to appear; loses on Betting Box 2 as no 8 appeared; loses on Betting Box 3 where the 2 is a low card, but the bet was for a high card to appear. 
       EXAMPLE 2 
       [0091]    The dealer may select (usually randomly) which cards will be “wild” cards for the game. In the present example, the wild cards are selected as the 2 and the Ace. A winning outcome with a 2 or an Ace will pay 9:5 instead of 1:1. 
       Bets Placed by the Players: 
       [0092]    All players place the same bets as in Game 1. 
       Cards Dealt and Allocated: 
       [0093]    An Ace is dealt to Betting box 1; 
         [0094]    An 8 is dealt to Betting box 2; 
         [0095]    An 8 is dealt to Betting box 3; 
         [0096]    A 9, is dealt to Betting box 4; 
         [0097]    A Queen is dealt to Betting box 5; 
         [0098]    A 2 is dealt to Betting box 6; and 
         [0099]    An 8 is dealt to Betting box 7; 
       Analysis: 
       [0100]    Player 1 loses on Betting Box 1 where the Ace is a high card, but the bet was for a low card; also loses the bet for an 8 to appear on Betting Box 1; 
         [0101]    Player 1 loses on Betting Box 3 where the 8 is neither low card nor high card, but the bet was for a high card; 
         [0102]    Player 1 loses on Betting Box 5 where the Queen is a high card, but the bet was for a low; 
         [0103]    Player 1 wins on Betting Box 6 where the 2 is a low card and the bet was for a low card. In addition, Player 1 will be awarded an additional payout as the 2 is also a wild card; 
         [0104]    Player 1 loses on Betting Box 7 where the 8 is neither a low nor a high card, but the bet was for a high card. 
         [0105]    Player 2 loses on Betting Box 3 where the 8 is neither a low nor a high card, but the bet was for a high card. 
         [0106]    Player 3 loses on Betting Box 2 where the 8 is neither a low nor a high card, but the bet was for a low card; 
         [0107]    Player 3 wins on Betting Box 2 as the 8-card is dealt; 
         [0108]    Player 3 loses on Betting Box 3 where the 8 is neither low nor high but the bet was for a high card. 
         [0109]    Player 1 and Player 2 did not win any bet on an 8-card at any of the Betting Boxes, both players cannot proceed to the auxiliary game. Player 3 has a winning bet on an 8 at Betting Box 2, and can participate in the auxiliary game. There is a jackpot for a card configuration with three  8 s, therefore a paid out is rewarded to Player 3. 
       EXAMPLE 3 
     Bets Placed by the Players: 
       [0110]    Player 1: 
         [0111]    Betting Box 2: low and 8; 
         [0112]    Betting Box 3: 8; 
         [0113]    Betting Box 4: low; 
         [0114]    Betting Box 6: low and 8; 
         [0115]    Betting Box 7: high and 8. 
         [0116]    Player 2: 
         [0117]    Betting Box 3: high and 8; 
         [0118]    Betting Box 5: 8. 
         [0119]    Player 3: 
         [0120]    Betting Box 2: low and 8; 
         [0121]    Betting Box 3: High. 
       Cards Dealt and Allocated: 
       [0122]    A 4 is dealt to Betting box 1; 
         [0123]    A Queen is dealt to Betting box 2; 
         [0124]    A Jack is dealt to Betting box 3; 
         [0125]    An 8 is dealt to Betting box 4; 
         [0126]    An 8 is dealt to Betting box 5; 
         [0127]    An 8 is dealt to Betting box 6; and 
         [0128]    A 9 is dealt to Betting box 7. 
       Analysis: 
       [0129]    Player 1 loses on Betting Box 2 where the Queen is a high card, but the bet was for a low card; 
         [0130]    Player 1 also loses on Betting Box 2 for an 8; 
         [0131]    Player 1 loses on Betting Box 3 where the Jack is high, but the bet was for an 8; 
         [0132]    Player 1 loses on Betting Box 4 where the 8 is neither a low card nor high card, but the bet was for a low card; 
         [0133]    Player 1 loses on Betting Box 6 where the 8 is neither a low or high card, but the bet was for a low card; 
         [0134]    Player 1 wins the 8 on Betting Boxes 6; 
         [0135]    Player 1 also wins on Betting Box 7 where the 9 is a high card and the bet was for a high card; 
         [0136]    Player 1 loses on Betting Box 7 where the 8 was also betted. 
         [0137]    Player 2 wins on Betting Box 3 where the Jack is a high card and the bet was for a High card; 
         [0138]    Player 2 loses on Betting Box 3 where the Jack is high, but the bet was for an  8 ; 
         [0139]    Player 2 wins on Betting Box 5 where the 8-card was dealt and a bet for the 8 was placed. 
         [0140]    Player 3 loses on Betting Box 2 where the Queen is a high card, but the bet was for a low card; 
         [0141]    Player 3 loses the bet for an 8 to appear on Betting Box 2; 
         [0142]    Player 3 wins on Betting Box 3 where the Jack is a high card and the bet was for a High card. 
         [0143]    Player 1 and Player 2 each has a winning bet due to the dealing of  8 s, to Betting boxes 5 and 6. Hence, both can proceed to the auxiliary game. There is a jackpot for a card configuration with three 8s, therefore a paid out is rewarded and Player 1 and Player 2 will share the jackpot. 
         [0144]    Although the invention is described above with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be embodied in many other forms.