Abstract:
A method of playing a playing card matching game comprising: placing a first wager within a table limit; dealing a first player card to a player; dealing a first dealer card to a dealer; and determining a winning hand, wherein a winning hand is one of: matching a suit color of the first player card to a suit color of the first dealer card; matching a rank and the suit color of the first player card to a rank and suit color of the first dealer card; or both the first player card and the first dealer card are matching special cards.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to a playing card game, and more specifically, to a playing card wagering game that may be played with one or more standard deck of playing cards or by video machine technology wherein the game is determined by matching like playing cards. 
         [0002]    Presently, there are many different wagering games used in gambling establishments. The problem with many of these games is that they are difficult to understand. This relates to not only how to play but the strategy involved in playing. Thus, many people who would normally like to play and gamble, end up not playing. 
         [0003]    Most people like to play wagering games that are fairly simple to understand and play. Ideally, a wagering game should have different wagering options for the players, yet be able to be played rapidly to a wager resolving outcome. Wagering games, particularly those intended primarily for play in gambling establishments, should provide players with a sense of participation and control, the opportunity to make decisions, and reasonable odds of winning even though the odds will favor the gambling establishment. 
         [0004]    Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a card game and method that overcomes the above problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    A method of playing a playing card matching game comprising: placing a first wager within a table limit; dealing a first player card to a player; dealing a first dealer card to a dealer; and determining a winning hand, wherein a winning hand is one of: matching a suit color of the first player card to a suit color of the first dealer card; matching a rank and the suit color of the first player card to a rank and suit color of the first dealer card; or both the first player card and the first dealer card are matching special cards. 
         [0006]    A method of playing a playing card matching game comprising: placing a first wager by all participating players; placing a bonus wager by any participating player wanting to play a bonus phase; dealing a first player card to each participating player; dealing a first dealer card to a dealer; and determining a winning hand, wherein a winning hand is one of: matching a suit color of the first player card to a suit color of the first dealer card; matching a rank and the suit color of the first player card to a rank and suit color of the first dealer card; or both the first player card and the first dealer card are matching special cards. 
         [0007]    The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Embodiments of the disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  shows a table layout for playing the present invention; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts a method of playing a card matching game according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Referring to the Figure, a method of playing a card matching game is disclosed. The card matching game may be played on a table  10 . The table  10  may have one or more player positions  12  and one house position  12 A. In front of each player position  12  will be a plurality of wagering positions  14 . The wagering positions  14  may include main wagering position  14 A and bonus wagering position  14 B. While two different wagering positions  14  may be shown, other wagering positions may be added and or removed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0012]    To begin play each participating player may place a wager in the main wagering position  14 A. The wager may be anywhere from a minimum of $5 to a maximum of $500 or more. Each player may further place an optional wager the in bonus wagering position  14 B. Typical wagers in bonus wagering position  14 B may range from a minimum of $1 to a maximum of $25. While specific monetary amounts are mentioned above, other monetary amounts may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The specific monetary amounts may be set by the house. 
         [0013]    The card matching game may be played using a standard deck of playing cards. In accordance with one embodiment, the card matching game may be played using either six or eight standard decks of playing cards. In the card matching game, the face cards may be removed. Thus, the jacks, queens and kings of each standard deck of playing cards used are removed. Aces are not removed. Two colored cards may be added per deck. In accordance with one embodiment, the colored cards are green on the face surface. Thus, each deck may consist of 42 playing cards. In the card matching game of the present invention, the card suits have no meaning except for the colors; clubs and spades are black and diamonds and hearts are red. The ranking of card values, the ace and cards two through ten is significant only when the player&#39;s card rank ties the dealer&#39;s card rank. The green card is named the Chili Pepper card and is treated similarly. 
         [0014]    To begin play each participating player makes an initial wager. The initial wager may be placed in the main wagering position  14 A. Each participating player may place a further optional bonus wager in the bonus wagering position  14 B. 
         [0015]    Once each player has placed their respective wagers, the dealer may deal one card face up to each participating player to form a player&#39;s hand. The dealer may then deal one card face up to form the dealer&#39;s hand. Winning hands are then determined. 
         [0016]    Winning hands may be determined in the following manner. The object of the game is to match or tie the dealer&#39;s card and is achieved when: 1) the player&#39;s card color matches the dealer&#39;s card color, 2) the player&#39;s card color and card rank ties the dealer&#39;s card color and card rank and 3) both the player and dealer have a Chili Pepper. If the Player&#39;s card does not match or tie the dealer&#39;s card, the player loses the initial wager placed in the main wagering position  14 A. 
         [0017]    The pay table for the main wager bet is as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Color, no Rank 
                 1 to 1 
               
               
                   
                 Color and Rank 
                 2 to 1 
               
               
                   
                 Chili Pepper 
                 15 to 1  
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0018]    The pay table above is given as an example. Other payouts may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In general, the pay table will be set by the house. 
         [0019]    After the single card dealer vs. player action is settled, the bonus phase follows and completes every round of play. First the dealer&#39;s card and the card(s) of the player(s) who decline to bet the bonus wager are put into the discard holder. The card(s) of the player(s) who did bet the bonus wager stay on the table. Three new playing cards are then dealt face up to the dealer and compared to the player&#39;s personal card. Winning combinations are specific to that card and various one, two and three card matches and ties win. 
         [0020]    The pay table for the bonus wager bet is as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 Three Colors 
                 2 to 1 
               
               
                   
                 One Rank 
                 1 to 1 
               
               
                   
                 Two Rank 
                 4 to 1 
               
               
                   
                 Three Rank 
                 8 to 1 
               
               
                   
                 One Chili Pepper 
                 10 to 1  
               
               
                   
                 Two Chili Peppers 
                 25 to 1  
               
               
                   
                 Three Chile Peppers 
                 50 to 1  
               
               
                   
                 Bad Beat: 
               
               
                   
                 Any Three of a Kind 
                 15 to 1  
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0021]    The pay table above is given as an example. Other payouts may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In general, the pay table will be set by the house. 
         [0022]    Thus, object of the bonus phase is to match or tie the dealer&#39;s cards and is achieved when: 1) all three of the dealer&#39;s playing cards match the color of the player&#39;s card color, 2) the player&#39;s card rank ties one, two or all three of the dealer&#39;s cards rank and 3) the player has a Chili Pepper card and the dealer has one, two or three Chili Pepper cards. One additional payout may be a Bad Beat payout. 
         [0023]    To illustrate: e.g. Player A has a personal card 5 and Player B has a personal card 9. The bonus cards dealt to the dealer are three 5&#39;s. Then it is a Three Rank bonus payout to player A and a Bad Beat bonus payout to Player B. In a Bad Beat payout, in any round where the three new playing cards dealt to the dealer matches a player&#39;s card then that player receives the bonus payout as show above and the other players who have an unmatched card receive the Bad Beat payout. Concurrently, there can be a round where the three bonus cards are the same rank and do not match any of the players&#39; cards, then there is a Bad Beat payout to each player who has a bonus bet. 
         [0024]    Most card games are susceptible to card counting exploitation. Thus, an eight deck shoe, placing the cut card 1½ to 2 decks from the back, offers a level of protection. A continuous shuffler, utilizing 6 decks, eliminates the threat. The dealer&#39;s card and the card(s) from the player(s) who do not bet the bonus wager are put into the discard holder; after the round is completed the cards are put back into the shuffler and a new round of play begins. 
         [0025]    While the different games have been described as being played on a table on a casino floor, the game may be played in an electronic version as well. Thus, the card matching game may be played using a main computer system. The computer system may have a processor unit and a display. Input devices may be coupled to the processor unit. The input devices may be a keyboard, a mouse and the like. The processor unit may further have an I/O port for downloading data to the processor unit. The I/O port may be a USB port, a FireWire port or the like. The listing of the above is given as an example and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0026]    Through the execution of program instructions forming a computer program product within the computer system, the computer system will provide a means for playing the card games described above. The program instructions may be located within a memory of the processor unit and executed by a central processing unit (CPU). 
         [0027]    While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.