Patent Publication Number: US-7584969-B2

Title: Pai gow game with supplemental bet

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit and priority of a U.S. Provisional patent application 60/899,268 filed on Feb. 2, 2007, and entitled Method of Playing Pai Gow Poker, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a game of chance, and more particularly to a pai gow-type card game having a supplemental bet. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Casino card games wherein a player receives a plurality of cards which are then divided into at least two hands are known in the art. One such game is pai gow poker. In pai gow, a player is dealt seven cards after posting an initial bet, which the player then arranges into a two-card “low” hand and a five-card “high” hand. The strength of each hand is determined using standard poker rankings, with two aces being the best low hand, and a royal flush being the best high hand. The player may divide his seven cards into any combination provided that the player&#39;s high hand outranks the player&#39;s low hand. 
   In pai gow, a dealer also receives seven cards which are similarly arranged into the best two-card low hand and five-card high hand. The player&#39;s initial bet is resolved by comparing the player&#39;s high hand to the dealer&#39;s high hand, and comparing the player&#39;s low hand to the dealer&#39;s low hand. Typically, if the player&#39;s high hand and low hand both outrank the dealer&#39;s high hand and low hand, i.e., if the player wins both hands, the initial bet is paid evenly. If either the player&#39;s high hand or the player&#39;s low hand outranks the dealer&#39;s high hand or the dealer&#39;s low hand, i.e., the player wins one of the two hands, a “push” results, wherein the initial bet is returned to the player. If the dealer&#39;s high and low hands outrank the player&#39;s high and low hands, such that the player loses both hands, the initial bet is forfeited. Typically a commission of approximately 5% is taken from any amount won by the player. In the event that a dealer&#39;s hand and a player&#39;s hand are of the same poker rank, the dealer wins. 
   In a typical pai gow game, there are six player positions and one dealer position for a total of seven positions. After each player posts an initial bet, a random number generator is used to determine which position receives the first set of seven cards. Dealing then continues in a clockwise direction from the selected position. Once all players have divided their cards into a high hand and a low hand, the dealer cards are revealed and arranged according to the rules of the particular establishment. Player hands are then compared to the dealer&#39;s hand to resolve the initial bets. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a game including an initial bet made by a player, a set of player cards and a set of dealer cards. Each set of cards preferably includes seven cards. The player arranges the player cards into at least a first player hand and a second player hand. Preferably the first player hand includes five cards, while the second player hand includes two cards. Similarly, the dealer arranges the dealer cards into a first dealer hand and a second dealer hand. Preferably the first player hand and the first dealer hand each include five cards, while the second player hand and the second dealer hand each include two cards. According to the present invention, the player may elect to make a supplemental bet following arrangement of the set of player cards but prior to arrangement of the dealer cards. The initial bet and the supplemental bet are resolved by comparing the first player hand to the first dealer hand, and by comparing the second player hand to the second dealer hand. Standard poker rankings are preferably used when comparing the hands. 
   In one aspect of the present invention, the player receives a payout based on the initial bet if the first player hand outranks the first dealer hand and the second player hand outranks the second dealer hand. The initial bet is returned to the player if either the first player hand outranks the first dealer hand or the second player hand outranks the second dealer hand, but not both. The initial bet is remitted if the first dealer hand outranks the first player hand and the second dealer hand outranks the second dealer hand. In this aspect of the present invention, the player receives a payout based on the supplemental bet if the first player hand outranks the first dealer hand and the second player hand outranks the second dealer hand. The supplemental bet is remitted if at least of the first and second dealer hands outrank the corresponding first and second player hands. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, if a player elects not to make the supplemental bet, the player receives a payout based on the initial bet only if both the first and second player hands outrank the corresponding first and second dealer hands. The initial bet is remitted if either the first or second dealer hand outranks the corresponding player hand. In this aspect of the present invention, if the player does choose to make the supplemental bet, the player receives a payout on at least one of the initial bet and the supplemental bet if both the first and second player hands outrank the first and second dealer hands. If either the first player hand outranks the first dealer hand or the second player hand outranks the second dealer hand, but not both, at least one of the initial bet and the supplemental bet are returned to the player. If both dealer hands outrank both player hands, both the initial bet and the supplemental bet are remitted. 
   In yet another aspect of the present invention, the supplemental bet is compulsory. The payout based on the initial bet may be approximately equal to the initial bet, while the payout based on the supplemental bet may be approximately equivalent to the supplemental bet. Either of the payouts may be subject to a commission. 
   The present invention also provides a method of playing a game having a player and a dealer. First, an initial bet is wagered by the player. Next, a set of player cards are dealt to the player and a set of dealer cards are dealt to a dealer. The player cards are arranged into at least a first player hand and a second player hand. The player then wagers a supplemental bet. Next, the dealer cards are arranged into at least a first dealer hand and a second dealer hand. The first player hand is compared to the first dealer hand, and the second hand is compared to the second dealer hand. Preferably, standard poker rankings are used when comparing hands. The initial bet and/or the supplemental bet are resolved based on the hand comparison. In one aspect of the method of the present invention, a payout is awarded to the player based on the initial bet if both player hands outrank both dealer hands, the initial bet is returned to the player if only one of the player hands outrank the corresponding dealer hand, and the initial bet is remitted if both dealer hands outrank both player hands. A payout may be awarded based on the supplemental bet if both player hands outrank both dealer hands, with the supplemental bet being remitted if either of the dealer hands beat the respective player hand. In another aspect of the method of the present invention, if the player elects not to make the supplemental bet, a payout is awarded based on the initial bet only if both player hands outrank both dealer hands, with the initial bet being remitted otherwise. However, if the player does elect to make the supplemental bet, a payout is awarded based on at least one of the initial bet and the supplemental bet if both player hands outrank both dealer hands, with at least one of the initial bet and the supplemental bet being returned to the player if either of the dealer hands outrank either of the player hands. Both the initial bet and the supplemental bet are remitted if both dealer hands outrank both player hands. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic of a game table for use with a game according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a flowchart presenting a method of playing a game according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart presenting a first method of resolution of bets made according to the method presented in  FIG. 2 ; and 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart presenting a second method of resolution of bets made according to the method presented in  FIG. 2 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals equal like parts,  FIG. 1  is a schematic of a game table  10  for use with a game according to the present invention. The game includes an initial bet  12  made by a player  14 . A set of player cards  16  are then dealt to the player  14 , with a set of dealer cards  18  being dealt to a dealer  20 . Each set of cards  16 ,  18  preferably includes seven cards, as in a traditional pai gow-type poker game. However, each set of cards may include any number of cards within the scope of the present invention. Additionally, while the term “cards” is used herein, the present invention may be practiced using any type of symbol. As one example, sets of tiles may be distributed instead sets of cards. 
   The player cards  16  are arranged into a first player hand  22  and a second player hand  24 . The dealer cards  18  are similarly arranged into a first dealer hand  26  and a second dealer hand  28 . The cards  16 ,  18  may be arranged in any manner within the scope of the present invention. However, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as with traditional pai gow-type poker, the first player hand  22  must outrank the second player hand  24 , while the first dealer hand  26  must similarly outrank the second dealer hand  28 . Additionally, each establishment running a game according to the present invention may set site-specific rules regarding how the dealer  20  must arrange the dealer cards  18 . Preferably, the number of cards in the first player hand  22  is equivalent to the number of cards in the first dealer hand  26 , while the number of cards in the second player hand  24  is equivalent to the number of cards in the second dealer hand  28 . For example, in the preferred embodiment, the first player hand  22  and the first dealer hand  26  each include five cards, with the second player hand  24  and the second dealer hand  28  each including two cards. However, the first and second player and dealer hands  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  may include any number of cards without compromising the inventive concept. Additionally, each set of cards  16 ,  18  may be arranged into more than two hands within the scope of the present invention. 
   According to the present invention, the player  14  may elect to make a supplemental bet  30  following arrangement of the player cards  16  but prior to arrangement of the dealer cards  18 . Thus the supplemental bet  30  is made by a player  14  with knowledge of his own player cards  16  but without knowledge of the dealer cards  18 . The supplemental bet  30  may be compulsory within the scope of the present invention. 
   Following arrangement of both the player cards  16  and the dealer cards  18 , the initial bet  12  is resolved by comparing the first player hand  22  to the first dealer hand  26  and the second player hand  24  is compared to the second dealer hand  28 . This comparison is preferably made using standard poker rankings, but the strength of each hand may be evaluated in another manner within the scope of the present invention. The exact manner of resolution of the initial bet  12 , and of the supplemental bet  30 , occurs as described herein. 
   In one aspect of the present invention, the player  14  receives a payout based on the initial bet if the first player hand  22  outranks the first dealer hand  26  and the second dealer hand  24  outranks the second dealer hand  28 . For example, assume the first player hand  22  is a straight with the second player hand  24  being a pair of aces, while the first dealer hand  26  is two pair and the second dealer hand  28  is a pair of nines. Using standard poker rankings, the first player hand  22  outranks the first dealer hand  26 , since a straight outranks two pair. Similarly, the second player hand  24  outranks the second dealer hand  28 , since a pair of aces outranks a pair of nines. Thus, in this scenario, the player  14  would receive a payout based on the initial bet  12 . The initial bet  12  is returned to the player  14 , i.e., a “push” results, if only one player hand  22 ,  24  outranks a corresponding dealer hand  26 ,  28 . For example, assume the first player hand  22  is a straight, the second player hand  24  is a pair of twos, the first dealer hand  26  is two pair, and the second dealer hand  28  is a pair of nines. In this scenario, while the first player hand  22  outranks the first dealer hand  26 , i.e., a straight outranks two pair, the second player hand  24  does not outrank the second dealer hand  28 , since a pair of nines outranks a pair of twos. Thus, a push results, with the initial bet  12  being returned to the player  14 . Finally, if both dealer hands  26 ,  28  outrank both player hands  22 ,  24 , the initial bet  12  is remitted to the establishment, i.e., the “house”; that is, the player  14  loses any money wagered as the initial bet  12  when neither player hand  22 ,  24  outranks the corresponding dealer hand  26 ,  28 . 
   In this aspect of the present invention, the supplemental bet  30  acts as a sort of confidence bet. The player  14  receives a payout based on the supplemental bet  30  if both player hands  22 ,  24  outrank both corresponding dealer hands  26 ,  28 . However, the supplemental bet  30  is remitted to the house if even one of the dealer hands  26 ,  28  outranks the corresponding player hand  22 ,  24 . Thus, the player  14  preferably elects to make the supplemental bet  30  after arranging his cards  16  when he is relatively confident that both of this hands  22 ,  24  will outrank the corresponding dealer hands  26 ,  28 . If the supplemental bet  30  is compulsory, the player  14  may choose to wager only a minimum supplemental bet  30  if he feels the strength of his hands  22 ,  24  is not that good. Conversely, if the player  14  is convinced both his hands  22 ,  24  are winning hands, he may wager a considerable amount as the supplemental bet  30 , but risk losing that supplemental bet  30  if either dealer hand  26 ,  28  outranks the corresponding player hand  22 ,  24 . Preferably, the payout based on the initial bet  12  is approximately equivalent to the initial bet  12 ; i.e., the initial bet  12  is paid evenly. Similarly, the payout based on the supplemental bet  30  is preferably approximately equivalent to the supplemental bet  30 . As in traditional pai gow-type games, the house may take a commission from either payout, with a commission of 5% being preferable. It may be the case that the commission is taken only from the payout on the initial  12 . It may also be the case that no commission is taken. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, if the player  14  elects not to make the supplemental bet  30 , the payout based on the initial bet  12  is only awarded if both player hands  22 ,  24  outrank both dealer hands  26 ,  28 , with the initial bet  12  being remitted to the house if either dealer hand  26 ,  28  outranks the corresponding player hand  22 ,  24 . Thus the game contemplated by this aspect of the invention is a variation of traditional pai gow-type games, in that no push will result. In this aspect of the present invention, the player  14 , after arranging the player cards  16 , may elect to make the supplemental bet  30  as an insurance bet. If the insurance bet  30  is made, the game reverts to traditional pai gow-type poker, wherein a push results if only one player hand  22 ,  24  outranks the corresponding dealer hand  26 ,  28 . By way of example, consider a scenario wherein the first player hand  22  is a straight but the second player hand  28  is jack high, while the first dealer hand  26  is two pair and the second dealer hand  28  is a pair of nines. If the player  14  does not elect to make the supplemental bet  30 , the initial bet  12  will be remitted to the house, since the second dealer hand  28  outranks the second player hand  24 . However, if the player  14  did elect to make the supplemental bet  30 , a push would result, as with a traditional pai gow-type game. Thus in a game according to this aspect of the present invention, the player  14  would be likely to make the supplemental bet  30  if he is unsure whether or not both his hands  22 ,  24  are winning hands. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insurance bet  30  is remitted to the house in all cases, even if a payout is awarded based on the initial bet  12 ; that is, by placing the supplemental bet  30  during a game according to this aspect of the invention, the player  14  is paying for assurance that they may be able to push even with low strength hands  22 ,  24 . However, a payout may be awarded based on the insurance bet  30  without changing the inventive concept. 
   It is important to recognize that the inventive concept underlying both aspects of the present invention described herein lies in the fact that the player  14  has the option of posting a supplemental bet  30  after arranging the player cards  16  but before the dealer cards  18  are revealed. The supplemental bet  30  may be made as a confidence bet or as an insurance bet within the scope of the present invention. It matters only that a player be allowed to make a supplemental bet  30  based on the perceived strength of his hands  22 ,  24 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 2 , a flowchart presents a method of playing a game having a dealer and a player according to the present invention. First, an initial bet is wagered by the player, as shown in box  110 . Next, a set of player cards are dealt to the player and a set of dealer cards are dealt to the dealer, as shown in box  112 . In box  114 , the set of player cards are arranged into at least a first player hand and a second player hand. Next, a supplemental bet is wagered by the player, as shown in box  116 . The supplemental bet may be optional. After the player wagers the supplemental bet, the set of dealer cards are arranged into at least a first dealer hand and a second dealer hand in box  118 . In box  122 , the first player hand is compared to the first dealer hand, while the second player hand is compared to the second dealer hand using standard poker rankings. Finally, in box  122 , at least one of the initial bet and the supplemental bet are resolved based on the comparison. 
   Resolution of each bet may be carried out in different ways within the scope of the method presented herein.  FIGS. 3 and 4  delineate the resolution step  122  of the method presented in the flowchart of  FIG. 2  according to a differing aspects of the present invention. Turning first to  FIG. 3 , a first method of resolution is presented. First, box  122   a  asks whether at least one of the player hands outranks the corresponding dealer hand. If the answer is no, both the initial bet and the supplemental bet are remitted to the house in box  122   b . If the answer is yes, box  122   c  asks whether both the player hands outrank the corresponding dealer hands. If the answer is no, the initial bet is returned to the player while the supplemental bet is remitted to the house in box  122   d . If the answer is yes, a payout is awarded based on the initial bet and the supplemental bet in box  122   e.    
   Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a second method of resolution is presented. First, box  222   a  asks whether or not a supplemental bet was made. If the supplemental bet was not made, box  222   b  asks whether both of the player hands outranks the corresponding dealer hands. If yes, box  222   c  awards a payout based on the initial bet. If no, the player remits the initial bet to the house in box  222   d . If the supplemental bet was made, box  222   e  asks whether both player hands outrank both dealer hands. If yes, a payout is awarded based on at least one of the initial bet and the supplemental bet in box  222   f . The supplemental bet may be an insurance bet, which is always remitted to the house even if a payout is awarded on the initial bet. However, a payout may be awarded based on the supplemental bet within the scope of the present invention. If no, i.e., if at least one dealer hand outranks the corresponding player hand, box  222   g  asks whether one player hand outranks the corresponding dealer hand. If yes, the initial bet is returned to the player in box  222   h . The supplemental bet may or may not be retained by the house in this scenario within the scope of the present invention. If neither player hand outranks the corresponding dealer hand, i.e., the answer to box  222   g  is no, the player remits both the initial and supplemental bets to the house in box  222   i.    
   While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, it is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words and description rather than of limitation. Those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize that many modifications of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced in a substantially equivalent way other than as specifically described herein.