Abstract:
A dice-less Craps game is disclosed. The game may be played by dealing, by a dealer, a pair of cards having numerical indicia thereon; determining whether the pair of cards are of a like suit; if the cards are not of a like suit, then adding the numerical indicia together to determine a roll in accordance with the rules of Craps; and if the pair of cards are of a like suit, then arriving at a predetermined result other than a roll in accordance with the rules of Craps. In a further disclosed aspect, the first predetermined result comprises a NoCall. In a further disclosed aspect an apparatus for playing a dice-less Craps game is disclosed, comprising a deck of cards comprising  48  cards having numerical indicia thereon including four like-suited pairs each of Aces, Twos, Threes, Fours, Fives, and Sixes; and a Craps playing surface having additional indicia thereon for wagering on a predetermined result if a pair of dealt cards are of a like suit.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/304,648, filed Jul. 10, 2001. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE  
         [0002]    I. Field  
           [0003]    The present disclosure relates to card games, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for playing a dice-less Craps game.  
           [0004]    II. Background  
           [0005]    Craps is one of the most popular dice games played in the casinos of Nevada and New Jersey. Players and spectators alike enjoy the fast-paced action provided by Craps.  
           [0006]    However, in some areas of the country dice games are prohibited, while other types of games, such as card games, slot machines, or keno, may be permitted. In such jurisdictions, the absence of Craps on the casino floor may be missed.  
           [0007]    Card games designed to replicate dice games are known in the art. For example, the  Official World Encyclopedia of Sport and Games,  1979, discloses a craps game that is played with a deck of cards.  
           [0008]    The game uses a special deck of 48 cards, consisting of two sets of each of the denominations Ace,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5  and  6 . The numerical value of the cards correspond to the indicia on the faces of two dice.  
           [0009]    The shooter deals two cards from the top of the deck face up onto the table, constituting a throw. The value of the two cards added together is a “roll” in the same way as the two dice in dice craps. Play follows the basic rules for Craps, where the first two cards on a come-out give either a natural ( 7  or  11 ), a craps ( 2 ,  3 , or  12 ), or a point ( 4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  8 ,  9  or  10 ).  
           [0010]    After every come-out throw the two cards are shuffled back into the deck by the shooter, and the deck is cut. This happens even if no decision has been reached (e.g. if a point has been thrown), If the shooter then still has to make a point, he deals further throws, but does not shuffle these back into the deck.  
           [0011]    This continues until he makes the point or sevens out. The entire deck is then shuffled together and cut. If, on a point, the entire deck is exhausted, the deck is reshuffled and cut by the shooter; he then continues, trying for the same point.  
           [0012]    The prior art card games suffers from certain disadvantages, however. For example, since cards are not returned to the deck while the shooter is trying to make a point, the odds of the game are not equivalent to a true Craps dice game since the rolls represented by the used cards are not available.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0013]    A novel and improved dice-less Craps game is disclosed. In one disclosed aspect, a method for playing a dice-less Craps game with a deck of cards is disclosed, comprising: dealing, by a dealer, a pair of cards having numerical indicia thereon; determining whether the pair of cards are of a like suit; if the cards are not of a like suit, then adding the numerical indicia together to determine a roll in accordance with the rules of Craps; and if the pair of cards are of a like suit, then arriving at a predetermined result other than a roll in accordance with the rules of Craps. In a further disclosed aspect, the first predetermined result comprises a NoCall.  
           [0014]    An apparatus for playing a dice-less Craps game is disclosed comprising: a Craps playing surface for receiving a pair of dealt playing cards, the playing surface having indicia thereon for wagering on a predetermined result other than a roll in accordance with the rules of Craps.  
           [0015]    In a further disclosed aspect an apparatus for playing a dice-less Craps game is disclosed, comprising a deck of cards comprising 48 cards having numerical indicia thereon including four like-suited pairs each of Aces, Twos, Threes, Fours, Fives, and Sixes; and a Craps playing surface having additional indicia thereon for wagering on a predetermined result if a pair of dealt cards are of a like suit.  
           [0016]    In additional aspect of a disclosed dice-less Craps game, a pair of dealt cards may be drawn from a deck consisting of 48 cards including four like-suited pairs each of Aces, Twos, Threes, Fours, Fives, and Sixes. The dealt pair of cards may be returned to the deck prior to the dealer dealing a subsequent pair of cards.  
           [0017]    It is contemplated that the disclosed game may be embodied in computerized gaming equipment. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference characters identify correspondingly throughout and wherein:  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is one aspect of a disclosed game playing surface; and  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a flowchart of one disclosed aspect of a dice-less Craps game. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0021]    Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the following description is illustrative only and not in any way limiting. Other modifications and improvements of the invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure.  
         [0022]    It is contemplated that the various aspects of the disclosure may be embodied in various computer and machine readable data structures. Furthermore, it is contemplated that data structures embodying various aspects of the disclosure may be transmitted across computer and machine-readable media, and through communications systems by use of standard protocols such as those used to enable networked computer systems.  
         [0023]    The disclosure may further relate to machine-readable media on which are stored embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It is ads contemplated that any media suitable for storing instructions related to aspects of the disclosure is within the scope of the present disclosure. By way of example, such media may take the form of magnetic, optical, or semiconductor media.  
         [0024]    Various aspects of the disclosure may be described through the use of flowcharts. Often, a single instance may be shown. As is appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, however, the protocols, processes, and procedures described herein may be repeated continuously or as often as necessary. Accordingly, the representation of various aspects of the disclosure through the use of flowcharts should not be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure.  
         [0025]    Exemplary embodiments of disclosed apparatus and methods may be disclosed herein. The word “exemplary” is used exclusively herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described as an “exemplary embodiment” is not to be construed as necessarily preferred or advantageous over other embodiments described herein.  
         [0026]    Referring now to FIG. 1, a playing surface  100  for a dice-less Craps game according to one aspect of the present disclosure is shown. The surface  100  may be any real or simulated surface. For example, the surface  100  may comprise a pre-printed felt covering mounted on a gaming table as is known in the art. The surface  100  may also comprise a pre-printed game board for home use. Alternatively, the surface  100  may be simulated on a video screen with the game as described herein being played under computer control using hardware and software as is known in the art.  
         [0027]    The playing surface  100  may include one or more player position indicia  102 . Though indicia for six players are shown on the playing surface  100 , it is contemplated that indicia may be provided for any number of players.  
         [0028]    The playing surface  100  may include Craps wagering indicia corresponding to a standard Craps game as is known in the art. For example, the playing surface  100  may include:  
         [0029]    Place bet indicia  104  for placing place wagers;  
         [0030]    Hardways indicia  106  for placing wagers on the hardways;  
         [0031]    One-time indicia  108  for placing one-time wagers;  
         [0032]    Big  6 /Big  8  indicia  110  for placing Big  6 /Big  8  wagers;  
         [0033]    Pass line indicia  112  for placing pass wagers;  
         [0034]    Field indicia  114  for placing field wagers;  
         [0035]    Don&#39;t pass indicia  116  for placing Don&#39;t Pass or Don&#39;t Come wagers;  
         [0036]    Come indicia  118  for placing Come wagers;  
         [0037]    Any Seven indicia  120  for placing Any Seven wagers;  
         [0038]    Any Craps indicia  122  for placing Any Craps wagers;  
         [0039]    Any Eleven indicia  124  for placing Any Eleven wagers;  
         [0040]    Proposition indicia  126  for placing Proposition wagers; or  
         [0041]    Horn indicia  128  for placing wagers on the Horn.  
         [0042]    It is contemplated that the playing surface  100  may include any other indicia as may be needed to facilitate a Craps game as is known in the art. For example, as is shown in FIG. 1, one or more of the Craps indicia on the playing indicia  100  may have corresponding wagering odds indicated nearby. The individual odds noted in FIG. 1 are intended to serve as exemplary examples and it is contemplated that a wide variety of desired odds may be indicated on the playing surface  100 . Furthermore, it is contemplated that Craps wagering indicia other than those shown in FIG. 1 may be provided on the playing surface  100  to provide other Craps wagering opportunities as may be known in the art.  
         [0043]    The playing surface  100  together with the Craps wagering indicia as shown as described herein form a Craps playing surface suitable for use with the game of present disclosure.  
         [0044]    The playing surface  100  may further include indicia  130  for placing wagers on a predetermined result other than a Craps roll. The criteria for the wager represented by the indicia  130  will be discussed in more detail below.  
         [0045]    Referring now to FIG. 2, a flowchart of one aspect of a disclosed dice-less Craps game is shown. The method of FIG. 2 may be played on the playing surface  100  of FIG. 1.  
         [0046]    Beginning with act  200 , two cards are dealt. In a manual version of the disclosed game, the card may be dealt by a dealer. In a simulated game, the cards may be dealt under computer control. The cards may be manually shuffled by a dealer, an automatic shuffling machine, or by a computer.  
         [0047]    In one aspect of a disclosed game, the deck of cards from which the pair of cards in act  200  are dealt comprises a 48-card deck. In the deck, six denominations of cards are provided which correspond to the indicia of a die, e.g.,  1  through  6 . For each of the six numbers, eight cards are provided, for a total of 48 cards. In one disclosed aspect, standard playing cards are used with the denominations being Ace,  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 , and  6 .  
         [0048]    As mentioned above, one defect of the games of the prior art is that the odds of dice-less Craps games do not resemble those of true dice Craps. The game of the present disclosure achieves a much closer approximation of true dice Craps by utilizing the suits already present in a standard deck of cards. In one aspect of a disclosed game, the following deck may be provided as shown in Table 1:  
                           TABLE 1                               Total           Dice   Corresponding   Cards in   No. of Cards       Indicia   Card Indicia   Deck   by Suit                   1   Ace   8   2 Clubs;                   2 Diamonds;                   2 Hearts;                   2 Spades       2   2   8   2 Clubs;                   2 Diamonds;                   2 Hearts;                   2 Spades       3   3   8   2 Clubs;                   2 Diamonds;                   2 Hearts;                   2 Spades       4   4   8   2 Clubs;                   2 Diamonds;                   2 Hearts;                   2 Spades       5   5   8   2 Clubs;                   2 Diamonds;                   2 Hearts;                   2 Spades       6   6   8   2 Clubs;                   2 Diamonds;                   2 Hearts;                   2 Spades                  
 
         [0049]    To better track the odds of true dice Craps, after a pair of cards are dealt in act  200 , it is determined whether the cards as dealt are of the same suit in query  202 . If the dealt cards are not of a like suit, the dealt cards are treated as a “roll” of dice. The face value of the dealt cards are added together and played as a roll of the dice according to the rules of Craps in act  204 . The dealer may then pay any wagers according to standard Craps rules.  
         [0050]    If the query  202  determines that the dealt cards are of a like suit, then the game proceeds to act  206 , where a predetermined result may be provided. In one aspect of a disclosed game, a predetermined result is provided which provides a result other than one provided in a standard game of Craps. This result is referred to as a “NoCall” herein. The NoCall aspect of the disclosed game may be indicated on the playing surface through an additional indicia such as indicia  130 . The NoCall result may be the subject of additional wagers, and thus may have wagering indicia indicating the stated odds proximately located nearby. In one aspect of a disclosed game, the odds on a NoCall are 3 to 1.  
         [0051]    In a further aspect of a disclosed game, after a roll is resolved in act  204 , or a NoCall is resolved in act  206 , the pair of dealt cards may be returned to the deck and reshuffled, further insuring the odds remain true.  
         [0052]    Though cards from a standard deck of cards are used in one disclosed aspect, it is contemplated that cards with any indicia suitable for representing dice indicia and suits may be used. For example, cards with other numeric indicia may be used, such as representations of the face of dice, or stylized numerals. The suits may be represented by means other than the suits of standard playing cards, such as colors or other symbols. Additionally, the cards may be of any size or shape. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the number of suits may be altered to change the odds of a NoCall to achieve a desired result, such as the overall odds of the game.  
         [0053]    Exemplary Procedure for a Dice-less Craps Game  
         [0054]    The following description illustrates but one method of playing a dice-less Craps game. The values in the following table are provided as examples only, and the stated odds may be adjusted to suit individual applications without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. In the following example, it is contemplated that at least one player will playing the disclosed game.  
         [0055]    Furthermore, there may be one dealer. As mentioned above, in a manual aspect of a disclosed game, one dealer may be used to administer the disclosed game. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, traditional Craps games typically require more than one person to attend to a Craps table, sometimes requiring as many a four attendants. Thus, by utilizing a game as shown and described herein, a casino may realize a substantial saving in personnel costs.  
         [0056]    If the disclosed game is computerized, the dealer as indicated below will represent the computer hosting the game.  
         [0057]    Place Wagers  
         [0058]    Initially, the one or more players who desire to play the disclosed game may place wagers on a playing surface such as playing surface  100  as disclosed above. Players may make standard Craps wagers, or players may wager on the NoCall aspect of the game.  
         [0059]    The dealer may indicate that “All Bets are set”, at which point no more bets will be accepted.  
         [0060]    Deal Cards: Determine NoCall  
         [0061]    The dealer may shuffle and cut the cards. The dealer will then deal two cards which will total 2 to 12.  
         [0062]    If the cards are of a like suit, a NoCall will be declared. If a NoCall is declared, the dealer will pay any NoCall wagers placed on the table, and the process starts over with the cards being returned to the deck.  
         [0063]    If the dealt cards are not of a like suit, a NoCall is not declared, and the dealer may take any NoCall wagers. The dealt cards are then treated as a Craps “roll”, with the numerical values of the cards representing the dice roll in dice Craps.  
         [0064]    Come-out Roll  
         [0065]    As is known by those of ordinary skill in the art, the first roll in a dice Craps game is known as the “come out roll”. Table 2 illustrates possible actions on a come out roll:  
                       TABLE 2                       Roll   Dealer Pays   Dealer Takes                   Seven   Pass Line;   Big 6-8;       (1-6 or 6-1, 2-5 or 5-2, 3-4   Any Seven   Field;       or 4-3)       Don&#39;t Pass;               Losing Proposition               wagers       Eleven   Pass Line;   Big 6-8;       (6-5 or 5-6)   Field;   Don&#39;t Pass;           Winning Proposition   Losing Proposition           wagers   wagers       Two, Three, or Twelve   Don&#39;t Pass Line;   Pass Line;       (Craps)   Field;   Losing Proposition       (1-1, 1-2 or 2-1, 6-6)   Winning Proposition   wagers           wagers       Four   Field;   Don&#39;t Pass wagers       (1-3 or 3-1 or 2-2)   Winning Proposition   behind 4;       Dealer places Don&#39;t Pass   wagers;   Losing Proposition       wagers behind 4, and   Come bets on 4   wagers       marks the Point 4       Five   Come bets on 5   Don&#39;t Pass wagers       (1-4 or 4-1, 2-3 or 3-2)       behind 5;       Dealer places Don&#39;t Pass       Losing Proposition       behind 5, and       wagers       marks the Point 5       Field       Six   Winning Proposition   Don&#39;t Pass wagers       (1-6 or 6-1, 2-4 or 4-2, 3-3)   wagers;   behind 6;       Dealer places Don&#39;t Pass   Come bets on 6   Losing Proposition       wagers behind 6, and   Hard Ways (if 3-3)   wagers       marks the Point 6   Big 6   Field       Eight   Winning Proposition   Don&#39;t Pass wagers       (2-6 or 6-2, 3-5 or 5-3, 4-4)   wagers;   behind 8;       Dealer places Don&#39;t Pass   Come bets on 8   Losing Proposition       wagers behind 8, and   Hard Ways (if 4-4)   wagers       marks the Point 8   Big 8   Field       Nine   Field;   Don&#39;t Pass wagers       (3-6 or 6-3, 4-5 or 5-4)   Come bets on 9   behind 9;       Dealer places Don&#39;t Pass       Losing Proposition       wagers behind 9, and       wagers       marks the Point 9       Ten   Field;   Don&#39;t Pass wagers       (4-6 or 6-4, 5-5)   Come bets on 10;   behind 10;       Dealer places Don&#39;t Pass   Hard Ways (if 5-5);   Losing Proposition       wagers behind 10, and   Winning Proposition   wagers       marks the Point 10   wagers                  
 
         [0066]    Roll after a point is established  
         [0067]    Table 3 illustrates possible actions on a roll after a point is established:  
                       TABLE 3                       Roll   Dealer Pays   Dealer Takes                   Seven   Come;   Big 6-8;       (1-6 or 6-1, 2-5 or 5-2, 3-4   Any Seven;   Field;       or 4-3)   All Don&#39;t Pass wagers   Don&#39;t Come;           behind numbers and   Losing Proposition           move them to Don&#39;t   wagers           Come/Don&#39;t Pass line           in front of each           respective player       Eleven   Field;   Big 6-8;       (6-5 or 5-6)   Come;   Don&#39;t Come;           Winning Proposition   Losing Proposition           wagers   wagers       Two, Three, or Twelve   Don&#39;t Come;   Come       (Craps)   Field;   Losing Proposition       (1-1, 1-2 or 2-1, 6-6)   Winning Proposition   wagers           wagers       Four   Field;   Don&#39;t Pass wager       (1-3 or 3-1 or 2-2)   Winning Proposition   4;       Dealer places Don&#39;t Pass   wagers;   Losing Proposition       wagers behind 4; place   Come bets on 4;   wagers       new Come wagers on 4   Pay Place wagers       Five   Winning Proposition   Don&#39;t Pass wager       (1-4 or 4-1, 2-3 or 3-2)   wagers;   5;       Dealer places Don&#39;t Pass   Come bets on 5   Losing Proposition       wagers behind 5; place       wagers       new come wagers on 5       Field       Six   Winning Proposition   Don&#39;t Pass wager       (1-6 or 6-1, 2-4 or 4-2, 3-3)   wagers;   6;       Dealer places Don&#39;t Pass   Come bets on 6;   Losing Proposition       wagers behind 6; place   Hard Ways (if 3-3);   wagers;       new Come wagers on 6   Big 6;   Field           Pay Place wagers       Eight   Winning Proposition   Don&#39;t Pass wager       (2-6 or 6-2, 3-5 or 5-3, 4-4)   wagers;   8;       Dealer places Don&#39;t Pass   Come bets on 8;   Losing Proposition       wagers behind 8; place   Hard Ways (if 4-4);   wagers       new Come wagers on 8   Big 8;   Field           Pay Place wagers       Nine   Field;   Don&#39;t Pass wager       (3-6 or 6-3, 4-5 or 5-4)   Come bets on 9;   9;       Dealer places Don&#39;t Pass   Pay Place wagers   Losing Proposition       wagers behind 9; place       wagers       new Come wagers on 9       Ten   Field;   Don&#39;t Pass wager       (4-6 or 6-4, 5-5)   Come bets on 10;   10;       Dealer places Don&#39;t Pass   Hard Ways (if 5-5);   Losing Proposition       wagers behind 10; place   Winning Proposition   wagers       new Come wagers on 10   wagers                  
 
         [0068]    The previous disclosure is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. The various modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the inventive faculty. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.