Patent Publication Number: US-6702290-B2

Title: Spanish match table and related methods of play

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Provisional application No. 60/216,962 filed Jul. 10, 2000. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to a card game suitable for play in a casino and more particularly to the card game Spanish Match or Monte, which is played using a deck of Cards. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The game of Spanish Match or Monte has been played for many years. A private house provides a deck of Cards, a table and a dealer. In its most basic elements, the game involves a competition between two cards. Players place a bet on which one of the two cards will generate a match first. If the player is correct, the dealer pays the player; if the player is incorrect, the player forfeits the bet. Although the game of Spanish Match or Monte is popular in private homes, especially in Puerto Rico, it is not played in casinos. This may result from a number of factors. For one, a casino must generate enough revenue from a particular game to pay overhead costs and still leave a profit. Also, the game must have well defined rules of play that avoid the possibility of any misunderstanding between the dealer and the players. In any event, the details of the game will now be described further. 
     The deck of Cards used for play typically includes four suits each of which is numbered one through seven and ten through twelve (1-7 and 10-12). Thus, the entire deck includes forty (40) cards. The respective suits depict clubs, chalices, swords, and gold coins. Thus, the deck includes four cards numbered two, one of which depicts two clubs, another of which depicts two chalices, another of which depicts two sword coins, and the last of which depicts two gold coins. The cards numbered ten through twelve depict a jack, a queen or a king along with one of the suits. Typically, a dealer uses a single deck of cards and shuffles that deck in between games. Alternatively, multiple decks may be used. The decks not in play are shuffled so that a new deck is ready immediately upon completion of a game. To help avoid mixing together cards from different decks, the decks are chosen with different back and background colors. 
     Any number of players may participate in the game. To begin, the dealer lays two cards adjacent one another. These two cards are drawn from the bottom of the deck. FIG. 1 shows one example of this. Here the dealer has first placed card  102  and card  104  on table  100 . This competition is sometimes termed the upper competition. If the cards match (e.g. two fours of different suits), then the dealer replaces both cards until they do not match. Then, the players may place a bet on which card will generate the first match. To place a bet for card  102 , the player places one or more folded bills adjacent card  102 . Each player uses a unique set of folds so that the different player&#39;s bets may be distinguished. Here, two players have bet on card  102 . One of those bets uses bills folded into a square or square folded bills  106 , another uses bills folded into a triangle or triangle folded bills  108 . Yet another player has bet on card  104  by placing a bill folded into an elongated rectangle or rectangle folded bill  110  adjacent card  104 . 
     On any bet, if the player guesses incorrectly, then the player forfeits the entire bet. If the player guesses correctly and the competition is decided by or before the first card shown after placing the bet and after establishing both competitions, the player is paid seventy-five percent of the bet. For example, if the player bets twenty dollars ($20), then the dealer pays the player fifteen dollars ($15) and returns their bet. If the player guesses correctly and the competition is decided by any card after such first card drawn, the player is paid one hundred percent of the bet. For example, if the player bets ten dollars ($10), then the dealer pays the player ten dollars ($10) and returns their bet. 
     After giving the players an opportunity to place bets, the dealer calls “no more bets”. At this time, the players have finished placing bets on the competition between cards  102  and  104 . The dealer then begins another competition by drawing another card, this time from the top of the deck. The dealer places that card, shown as card  112 , on the table  100  adjacent to card  102 , and diagonal to card  104 . If the card has the same value or matches either card  102  or card  104 , then it is removed from its original location and placed next to the matching card (shown in FIG.  2  and further discussed below). This action is sometimes referred to as raising the card. Once the dealer raises a card next to card  102  or  104 , no new bets may be placed on the competition between those two cards. Absent such a match, the dealer draws another card, again from the top of the deck, and places that card, shown as card  114 , on the table  100  adjacent to card  112  and  104 , and diagonal to card  102 . If card  114  matches card  112 , the two cards are removed and replacements are drawn following the same procedure. 
     Once the second competition between card  112  and card  114  has been established, players may place bets. This competition is sometimes termed the lower competition. Here, one player has bet on card  112  by placing a triangle folded bill  116  adjacent to card  112 . This bet was placed by the same player that placed triangle folded bill  108  since these two bets use the same fold pattern. Another player has bet on card  114  by placing a bill with a folded corner or folded corner bill  118  adjacent to card  114 . 
     When cards are removed due to a match in either the first competition or the second competition, the associated number is burned and the remaining cards with that same number will be discarded as they may be drawn for the deck. For example, if the dealer draws a pair of fours when placing the first competition, those fours are removed and a new first competition is established. If another four is drawn while establishing that new first competition, then that four will be discarded without placing it on the table  100 . Likewise, if another four is drawn while establishing the second competition, then that four will be discarded without placing it on the table  100 . 
     After giving the players an opportunity to place bets on the second competition, the dealer calls “no more bets.” At this time, the players have finished placing bets on the second competition and the dealer begins the match process. Until this time, the dealer has held or placed the deck in a face-down position so that the players can only see cards after they have been drawn from the deck. Now, the dealer turns the deck in a face-up position, shown for example in FIG. 3 as deck  302 . 
     If the top card of deck  302  matches any of the cards in competition, i.e., cards  102 ,  104 ,  112  or  114 , the dealer declares a winner for the respective competition. The first card is commonly termed “the window,” and if a match comes from the window, any players betting on that match will win their bet. That player is termed “a window winner,” and will receive payment of seventy-five percent (75%) of their bet plus their original bet. 
     If the first card does not generate a match, the dealer will continue drawing cards from the top of the deck. Each new card is compared with the cards in competition. If that comparison generates a match, any player betting on the winning card is declared “a match winner,” and will receive payment of one hundred percent (100%) of their bet plus their original bet. In other words, the winner is paid a prize in the same amount as their winning bet. When the dealer determines a winner for either of the competitions, the dealer pays or collects all outstanding bets for that competition and clears all of the cards associated with that competition. The dealer will then continue to draw cards from the deck until the remaining competition generates a winner. At that time, the dealer pays or collects all outstanding bets for the remaining competition and may begin a new game. 
     At any time during the process of drawing cards from the deck to determine a match for the competitions, a player may call to the dealer to suspend play so that the player may enter a new bet. Players who have already placed a bet, and players who have not yet placed any bet may make this call. In response, the dealer suspends play by leaving the last card shown and played on the top of deck  302 . This ensures that the next card to be played remains unknown to all players. During this pause, any player may place a new bet on any remaining competition, except competitions having a raised card associated therewith. Such bets are placed slightly outside the area surrounding any previously pending bets, such as bet  304 . 
     After giving players an opportunity to place bets, the dealer declares “no more bets” and the players may no longer place new bets. The dealer then draws the next card to the top of deck  302 . If this card determines a competition associated with a new bet in favor of that new bet, then the player is treated as a window winner and will be paid seventy-five percent (75%) of their bet. Any bets placed earlier will be paid as a match winner. Alternatively, if the new card determines a competition associated with a new bet against that new bet, then the player and any other players betting on that side of the competition forfeit their bet. In another alternative, if the new card does not determine a competition associated with a new bet, that bet is moved into the area surrounding any previously pending bets. Subsequently that bet will be treated as any other bets and will be paid as a match winner or forfeited depending upon the result of the associated competition. 
     At all times during play, new bets may not be placed in a competition with unequal matching conditions. For example, if one side of a competition includes a raised card, then that competition has unequal matching conditions, since the possibility of reaching a match diminishes each time a card is raised. 
     While establishing the second competition, the dealer may raise more than one card because the associated number was placed in the first competition. If three cards having the same number are raised while establishing the second competition, then the matching card in the first competition necessarily loses. 
     Turning to FIG. 2, the process of raising cards is further described. While establishing the lower competition between cards  112  and  114 , the dealer drew a four card  202 . Since that for matched card  104 , which was already in play in the upper competition, the dealer raised the four card  202  by placing it on top of card  104 . By chance, two additional four cards  204  and  206  were drawn while establishing the lower competition. As a result, the dealer also raised those cards. 
     Since no four cards remain in the deck, card  104  cannot win the upper competition. Consequently, any bets associated therewith are forfeited. Bets associated with card  102  are paid as a window winner. 
     The game continues until both competitors generate a match. Bets are paid and collected, and a new game is begun. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the invention, a method of operating a table in a casino begins by providing two decks of cards having a different background color. In one embodiment the decks of cards are preferably a Spanish deck. In another preferred embodiment, the decks of cards are a standard casino deck. The casino provides chips of different colors to the players so that one player&#39;s chips may be visually distinguished from another player&#39;s chips based upon color. The chips include a plurality of denominations that are whole number multiples of ten dollars. The casino establishes an upper competition between two cards from the first deck of cards by placing a first card adjacent a first betting area, and placing a second card adjacent a second betting area. The casino establishes a lower competition between two cards from the first deck of cards by placing a third card adjacent a third betting area, and placing a fourth card adjacent a fourth betting area. The players place bets by positioning the chips in the first, second, third and fourth betting areas. the casino draws cards and places them in a discard area positioned outside the first, second, third and fourth betting area. Each of the cards is compared with the first and second cards in the upper competition and to the third and fourth cards in the lower competition to generate matches there between. The casino moves the bets from a window winner area to a match winner area within the first, second, third and fourth betting areas after drawing one card from the deck and before drawing another card from the deck. The casino tenders payment on any winning bets in an amount that is a whole number multiple of one dollar. This payment is made in an amount less than the bet when such winning bets occur on the first card drawn after placing such winning bets. This payment is made in an amount equal to such winning bets when such winning bets occur after the first card drawn after placing such winning bets. Otherwise, the casino collects any losing bets. During play, the casino automatically shuffles unused cards. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a casino operates a table by providing a deck of cards and chips. The chips are given to a plurality of players and include unique indicia so that one player&#39;s chips may be visually distinguished from another player&#39;s chips. The chips include a plurality of denominations. A dealer establishes a competition between two cards from the deck of cards. The casino bets from players. Each bet is associated with one of the two cards in the competition. The dealer draws cards from the deck of cards to generate a match between one of the two cards in the competition. The casino tenders payment on any winning bets in an amount that is a whole number multiple of one dollar. This payment is made in an amount less than the bet when such winning bets occur on the first card drawn after placing such winning bets. Accordingly, this payment is made in an amount equal to such winning bets when such winning bets occur after the first card drawn after placing such winning bets. Otherwise the casino collects any losing bets. 
     According to further aspects of the invention, the chips have values that are whole number multiples of ten dollars. The competition between two cards is established by placing a first card adjacent a first betting area, and placing a second card adjacent a second betting area. Bets are accepted in these betting areas. The casino moves the chips associated with a bet from a window winner area to a match winner area after drawing one card from the deck and before drawing a second card from the deck. According to another aspect of the invention, a casino provides a table having a plurality of player positions, an upper and a lower competition area, a first and a second card area within each of the upper and lower competition areas, and a betting area associated with each of the first and second card areas. The betting areas are divided into a window winner area and a match winner area. Each of the first and second card areas define a substantially rectangular boundary having dimensions approximately proportional to those of a deck of cards. The table also has a discard area. The player positions around the table are numbered, and each of the betting areas comprises a plurality of numbered areas each associated with one of the player positions. Each of the plurality of numbered areas includes a portion of the window winner area and of the match winner area. 
     According to a further aspect of the invention the table has fewer than six player positions. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a computer system is configured to operate a casino game. The computer system includes a processor operationally coupled with a display, a deposit recognition system, and a plurality of bet buttons. The computer system is configured to establish a player credit based upon input from the deposit recognition system. The player credit is made in whole number multiples of one dollar. The computer system establishes an upper and a lower competition by displaying two sets of two side-by-side cards. The computer system accepts bets from a player wherein the bets are received through the bet buttons. The computer system displays cards for a match comparison with the upper and the lower competition. The computer system settles bets by increasing the player credit for winning bets. The credit is given in whole number multiples of one dollar. The credit is made in an amount less than the bet for a window winner and in an amount equal to the bet for a match winner. 
     These and other aspects of the invention will be further appreciated with reference to the drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a table showing the game of Monte in play. 
     FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of a table showing the game of Monte at another stage of play. 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of a table showing the game of Monte at another stage of play. 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of one preferred table top configured for play of the game of Monte in a casino. 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of one preferred set of chips suitable for use with the table top of FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 6 is a top view of another preferred table top configured for play of the game of Monte in a casino. 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of another preferred set of chips suitable for use with the table top of FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing one preferred method of playing the game of Monte. 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of a computerized gaming machine configured for play of the game of Monte. 
     FIG. 10 is a top plan view of another preferred table top configured for play of the game of Monte in a casino. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 4-10, where, generally, common reference numerals have been used to denote the same or similar objects. These preferred embodiments overcome the above-mentioned difficulties and render the game suitable for play in a casino. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the game is played on a relatively small table managed by a single dealer. The player&#39;s bets are placed at specific locations on the table. This configuration allows a casino to minimize overhead because it requires only a single employee to manage the table. The game may be played using a Spanish deck of cards or a standard casino deck of cards. 
     In FIG. 4, one preferred table suitable for use in a casino is shown. The table includes a top  100  that is preferably covered with a plush, wear-resistant cloth. The top  100  has a semi-circular shape. The perimeter along the curved edge is divided into a plurality of player positions  102 , which are numbered one through four (1-4). A dealer position  104  is situated midway along the straight edge of the perimeter. Chairs  106  are provided for each of the players and for the dealer. 
     From the perspective of the dealer position  104 , top  100  includes an upper right rectangle  108  and an upper left rectangle  109 , which are used to establish the upper competition. At the start of a new game, a dealer draws two cards and places them in the upper right rectangle  108  and the upper left rectangle  109 . As described above, if these two cards match, then they are removed from play and two more cards are drawn. Rectangles  108  and  109  are approximately one inch wider and one inch higher than the width and height of the cards used in play. 
     Again, from the perspective of the dealer position  104 , top  100  also includes a lower right rectangle  110  and a lower left rectangle  111 , which are used to establish the lower competition. After establishing the upper competition and accepting any bets on that competition, the dealer draws two more cards and places them in the lower right rectangle  110  and the lower left rectangle  111 . As described above, if either of these cards matches one of the cards in the upper competition, or any cards removed from the upper competition, then they are also removed and may be placed next to the matching card in the upper competition. After establishing the lower competition, players may place bets on this competition as well. Rectangles  110  and  111  are the same size as rectangles  108  and  109 . 
     Before entering the game, a player must purchase chips from a cashier. One preferred chip set is shown in FIG. 5, and will be described further below. 
     Top  100  also includes bet areas  112 - 115 , which are used to enter bets on the upper and lower competitions. More specifically, players may place bets on the upper competition by placing chips in the upper right bet area  112  (associated with upper right rectangle  108 ), or on the upper left bet area  113  (associated with the upper left rectangle  109 ). Likewise, players may place bets on the lower competition by placing chips in the lower right bet area  114  (associated with lower right rectangle  110 ), or on the lower left bet area  115  (associated with lower left rectangle  111 ). 
     Each of the bet areas  112 - 115  has the same form, and that form will be described with reference to upper right bet area  112 . Specifically, it is shaped substantially as a rectangle having a length approximately twice its width. The rectangle is divided once along is its length to provide a window winner row  116  and a match winner row  118 . The rectangle is divided three times along its width to provide a column for each of the four players. Thus the rectangle is divided into eight chip areas. 
     Initially, a player places a bet by positioning one or more chips in the window winner row at the player&#39;s respective column. After the competitions are established, the dealer begins to draw cards. The player&#39;s chip remains in the window winner row only during the first card drawn after placing the bet. If a match for the associated competition is generated on that draw and the player selected the winning card, then the player is compensated at the window winner rate. If a match is not generated, then the dealer moves the player&#39;s chip from the window winner row  116  to the match winner row  118 . The chip remains in the same column during this move. The dealer then continues to draw cards. When a match is generated for the associated competition and the player selected the winning card, then the player is compensated at the match winner rate. Otherwise, the player forfeits the bet. 
     Since players always place bets in the window winner row  116 , this row is situated closer to player positions  102  than the match winner row  118 . Similarly, the player&#39;s columns are arranged in the same order as their respective positions. This helps to minimize the maximum distance between player position and bet area. 
     Top  100  also includes a recessed area for a chip box  120 . To pay bets, the dealer draws chips from chip box  120 . The chips are placed next to the winning bet and are then moved proximate the position of the winning player. To collect losing bets, the dealer simply removes chips associated with such bets to the chip box  120 . 
     Finally, top  100  includes a recessed area for an automatic shuffler  122 . Preferably, the dealer uses two decks of cards. One may be printed using red ink and the other using blue ink so that the back and background colors of the two decks may be distinguished easily. While one deck is in play, the dealer places the other deck in the automatic card shuffler  122 . By the time play has completed, the decks are swapped and a new game may be started immediately. 
     Turning to FIG. 5, one preferred chip set is described. The chips include a one-hundred dollar chip  500 , a fifty dollar chip  502 , a ten dollar chip  504 , a five dollar chip  506  and a one dollar chip  508 . To ensure that the chips are easily distinguished, each denomination is minted in a different color. 
     By house rules, a player may place a bet only in multiples of ten dollars and a window winner is paid seven dollars for every ten dollars bet. Thus, the five dollar chip  504  and the one dollar chip  508  may not be used to place bets. Instead, these chips are used to pay window winners. For example, if a player becomes a window winner on a ten-dollar bet, then that player will receive their original bet plus the five dollar chip  504  and two of the one dollar chips  508  from the dealer. Similarly, if a player becomes a window winner on a twenty dollar bet, then that player will receive their original bet plus one of the ten dollar chips  504  and four of the one dollar chips  508  from the dealer. 
     In another preferred mode of play, house rules permit bets placed in multiples of five dollars, and the window winner is paid at a rate of 0.7 dollars for every one-dollar bet. Where this results in payment owed to a player in a fraction of a dollar, a one-dollar chip is presented for placement by the player on a new bet. For example, if a player wins as a window winner on a five dollar bet, then the player is due three and one half dollars from the dealer. The player receives three dollars in chips directly, and another one dollar that must be placed as a bet. (This technique is known and is sometimes used in the casino game of blackjack.) 
     Turning to FIGS. 6-7, another preferred table and associated chips will be described. In this version, top  600  is rectangular in shape with somewhat rounded corners. Top  600  is sized to allow more players to participate in the game than top  400  (shown in FIG.  4 ). Specifically, top  600  includes eight player positions  602  arranged around the perimeter. Top  600  also includes a dealer position  604  and a cashier position  605 . The dealer position  604  and cashier positions are located midway along the length of top  600 , on opposite sides. From the perspective of dealer position  604 , the first four player positions  602  (numbered  1 - 4 ) are located to the left, and the last four player positions  602  (numbered  5 - 8 ) are located to the right. 
     Proximate the dealer position  604 , top  600  includes an area for establishing an upper and a lower competition as well as associated areas for placing bets. More specifically, top  600  includes an upper right rectangle  608  and an upper left rectangle  609 , adjacent thereto. The dealer places cards within the boundaries of these rectangles to establish the upper competition. Preferably, these rectangles are larger than and approximately proportional to the size of the cards. Top  600  also includes a lower right rectangle  610  and a lower left rectangle  611 , adjacent thereto. The dealer places cards within the boundaries of these rectangles to establish the lower competition. As described above, if the dealer generates a match while establishing the lower competition, the matching card is not placed in the lower competition, but is raised to the upper competition and placed proximate the matching card. For example, if a match is made between the cards placed in rectangle  610  and rectangle  609 , then the card in rectangle  610  is raised diagonally to a position proximate rectangle  609 . 
     Each of the rectangles  608 ,  609 ,  610  and  611  have a betting area  612 ,  613 ,  614  and  615 , associated therewith, respectively. The betting areas  612 ,  613 ,  614  and  615  are substantially the same. With reference to betting areas  612  and  613 , each includes an outer window bet area  616  and an inner match bet area  618 . Initially, players place bets in the window bet area  616 . As described above, after drawing only one card during the match phase of play, the dealer promotes such chips from the window bet area  616  to the match bet area  618 . 
     Before placing such a bet, the player must purchase chips. Unlike top  400  (shown in FIG.  4 ), the betting areas on top  600  do not differentiate between players. Instead, in order to track individual bets, each player is issued chips that bear a unique visual marking. Preferably, each player is issued a different color of chip but other visual indicia may be used (e.g., stripes or other patterns). Top  600  includes a recessed area  620  for a chip box, which is situated proximate cashier position  605 . As players join the game, the cashier ensures that none have the same color chips as those of another player. Preferably, each player position will have an associated color. 
     Top  600  also includes a recessed area  622  for an automatic card shuffler. This is used in the same manner as the automatic shuffler  422  described above. 
     Turning to FIG. 7, one preferred chip set suitable for use with top  600  will be described. This chip set includes a one hundred dollar chip  702 , a twenty-dollar chip  704 , a ten dollar chip  706 , a five dollar chip  708  and a one dollar chip  710 . To distinguish the chips, each denomination has a different size. In addition, the chip set is divided into a number of different colors. For example chip set  712  would be blue, chip set  714  would be green, and chip set  716  would be red. A different color chip set is provided for each player position. Other visual indicia may be used to distinguish the chips. 
     By house rules, a player may place bets only in five-dollar increments and a window winner is paid in a ratio of eight dollars for every ten dollars bet. Thus the one dollar chip  710  may not be used to place bets. Instead, these chips are used to pay window winners. For example, if a player becomes a window winner on a five dollar bet, then that player will receive their original bet plus four of the one dollar chips  710 . 
     When the chip set shown in FIG. 7 is used in conjunction with the table shown in FIG. 6, then each player position  602  is assigned a different color. As new players join, they purchase chips from the cashier, who monitors the assignment of such colors. During the game, players may place bets by positioning their chips in one of the outer window bet areas  616 . After one card has been drawn from the deck, the dealer or the cashier moves such bets into the inner match bet areas  618 . When winners or losers are determined, the cashier tenders payment on winning bets and collects losing bets. Meanwhile, the dealer retrieves the deck of cards and exchanges it with a deck in the automatic shuffler. 
     Turning to FIG. 8, one preferred method of operating the tables shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 will be described. Beginning at step  802 , the casino sells chips to players. Ordinarily, the chips are sold at an even exchange, however, the casino may charge a slight premium over face value. For example, the casino might charge one hundred dollars ($100) for ninety-five dollars ($95) worth of chips. 
     After players have purchased chips, the casino establishes a first competition at step  804 . Then, players are allowed to place bets on that competition at step  806 . The casino then establishes the second competition and allows players to place bets on the second competition at steps  804  and  806 , respectively. During the process of establishing the second competition, the casino may determine the winner in the first competition. This occurs when three cards of the same value are raised to the first competition. When this happens, the casino pays any winning bets and collects any losing bets (not shown in FIG.  8 ). 
     After establishing the competitions, the casino begins to draw a card from the deck at step  808 . The card is compared to the cards remaining in competition at step  810 . If the card matches any cards in play, then the matching card and any bets associated therewith win the respective competition. Accordingly, at step  812 , the casino pays any winning bets and collects any losing bets. Window winners are paid less then their bet, match winners are paid in the same amount as their bet. 
     After paying and collecting bets at step  812 , or after determining that a match was not made at step  810 , the dealer moves any chips in a window winner position to a match winner position at step  814 . 
     The process then returns to step  806  and the subsequent steps are repeated until the casino determines a winner for both competitions. 
     When a player quits, their chips may be redeemed for cash. Ordinarily, the chips are bought at an even exchange, however, the casino may charge a slight commission. 
     Turning to FIG. 9, another preferred embodiment of the casino game will be described in an electronic implementation. This configuration includes a chassis  902  configured to house the various components and to provide an attractive user interface. More specifically, chassis  902  houses a display  904 , four bet buttons  906 , a deposit interface  908 , a coin return  910 , a stop button  912  and a start button  914 . 
     In operation, a player begins by depositing money through deposit interface  908 , which is configured to accept both paper and coin currency. As a player deposits money, the deposit interface passes the paper or coins through a recognition system. For paper currency, the value is determined by optical recognition. For coins the value is determined mechanically. Once the value is determined, the player&#39;s balance is credited in that amount. 
     In many casinos, players are issued tokens by a central cashier. In those circumstances, the deposit interface is configured to accept such coins instead of actual currency. 
     After making a deposit, the player may press the start button  914 . This initiates play. Internally, a computer shuffles a virtual deck of cards and establishes an upper competition. The cards in the upper competition are shown on display  904  as cards  916 . The player may then place bets on the competition by activation of one of the bet buttons  906 . For example, to bet on the upper right card  916 , the upper right bet button  906  is activated. Bets are made in increments of the casino minimum. Here, the casino minimum is five dollars, and window winner bets are paid at eighty percent (80%). Thus, if the player places a bet, five dollars will be subtracted from the player&#39;s credit and placed in the bet area  918  adjacent the associated card  916 . Each bet area  918  is divided into an upper and a lower portion. When a player initially places a bet it is shown in the upper portion or window winner portion. 
     After accepting bets on the upper competition, the computer establishes a lower competition. The cards in the lower competition are shown on display  904  as cards  920 . The player may then place bets on the competition by activation of one of the bet buttons  906 . For example, to bet on the lower left card  920 , the lower left bet button  906  is activated. The bet is displayed in a bet area  922  associated with the selected card. As with bet areas  918 , bet areas  922  are also divided into a window winner portion and a match winner portion. 
     After establishing the competitions, the computer determines the next card in play. That card is shown as card  924  on display  904 . The computer compares the value of card  924  with that of the cards in competition, if that comparison generates a match, the player is paid as a window winner. The proceeds are added to the players credit and the respective competition area is cleared. Alternatively, if card  924  does not generate a match, the computer changes the status of any pending bets to match bets. The bets are then moved on the display from the window bet area to the associated match bet area. 
     The computer then determines the next card in play. That card replaces the previous card shown as card  924 , and the process of determining a winner is repeated. If the player wins on a bet in the match winner area, the proceeds from the bet are added to the player&#39;s credit. 
     During the process of drawing cards from the deck to determine winners in the competitions, a player may place a new bet. To begin this process, the player activates stop button  912 . The player may then activate any of the bet buttons to place a bet. The bet is initially placed in the window winner area, then moved to the match winner area after drawing one card. 
     The game continues in this fashion until the player wins or loses any pending bets. Upon completion of a game the player is permitted to begin a new game or to have any remaining credit returned. 
     Turning to FIG. 10, another preferred table top  1000  configured for use in a casino is described. The table top  1000  includes a dealer area  1002 , as well as sixteen player stations arranged around the circumference of the table. To the left of the dealer area  1002 , the positions are numbered one through eight. Left player position one  1004  is furthest from the dealer and left player position eight  1006  is closest to the dealer. To the right of the dealer area  1002 , the positions are also numbered one through eight. Right player position one  1008  is furthest from the dealer and right player position eight  1010  is closest to the dealer. 
     The game proceeds as described above, where the dealer establishes an upper competition at card positions  1012  and  1014 , and a lower competition at card positions  1016  and  1018 . From the left player positions, bets may be placed adjacent bet areas  1020 ,  1022 ,  1024  or  1026 , which are associated with card positions  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016  and  1018 , respectively. Each of the bet areas  1020 ,  1022 ,  1024  and  1026  includes a bet area for each of the players, which are numbered one through eight. By way of example, a person at left player position one  1004  may place a bet on the card in position  1012  by positioning a chip on or about the area numbered one adjacent bet area  1020 . 
     From the right player positions, bets may be placed in bet areas  1028 ,  1030 ,  1032  and  1034 , which are associated with card positions  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016  and  1018 , respectively. Again, by way of example, a person at right player position eight  1010  may place a bet on the card in position  1018  by positioning a chip on or about the area numbered eight adjacent bet area  1034 . 
     The table may also include designations for two-player positions (P). Preferably, these are positioned on the opposite side as dealer position  1002 , with one proximate bet areas  1020 ,  1022 ,  1024  and  1026 , and one proximate bet areas  1028 ,  1030 ,  1032  and  1034 . The table also includes a card shuffle area  1036 . 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many variations and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The following claims are intended to encompass all such modifications and variations.