Patent Publication Number: US-2004056418-A1

Title: Method and apparatus for playing casino poker game

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 10/247,987, filed Sep. 20, 2002. 
    
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] In U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,845,906 and 6,113,101, the text of which is incorporated by reference herein, I described methods for playing wagering games which were based, in substantial part, on the rules of poker. As was the case with these earlier disclosures, the present invention relates generally to a playing card wagering game which is particularly applicable to a casino environment in which multiple players compete with themselves and with the house. The game in its variations can also be played in a home environment.  
       [0003] Wagering games, particularly those intended primarily for play in casinos, should provide players with a sense of participation and control, the opportunity to make decisions, and reasonable odds of winning, even though the odds favor the casino, house, dealer or banker. The game must also meet the requirements of regulatory agencies.  
       [0004] Wagering games, including wagering games for casino play with multiple wagering opportunities, are known. In addition to the above-mentioned patents, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,861,041 and 5,078,405 (both to Jones et al) disclose methods and apparatus for progressive jackpot gaming, respectively. The former patent discloses that a player may make an additional wager at the beginning of a hand, the outcome of the additional wager being determined by a predetermined arrangement of cards in the player&#39;s hand. U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,553 (to Suttle and Jones) discloses a modified version of a five card stud poker game.  
       [0005] Additional symbols may be added to the usual means of playing a game to increase wagering opportunities. This is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,107 (to Boylan et al). Somewhat similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,757 (to Holmberg) discloses a board game and apparatus, including a way to allow the player to make a choice with respect to several different alternative types of game play and risk-bearing strategies. The alternative play is based on providing cards with additional symbols and therefore, a new set of odds. The game and apparatus disclosed by Holmberg requires new sets of rules, relatively complicated procedures and time for a player to learn the game.  
       [0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,429 (to LeVasseur) involves the dealer playing multiple hands against a player&#39;s single hand, whereby the number of hands played in the same amount of time is increased.  
       [0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,462 (to Breeding) discloses a casino-type poker game wherein players are given an opportunity to withdraw at least a part of their bets before all the cards are dealt. The game employs at least one common card which can be used by all of the players.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] The present invention relates to a card game, in particular to a card game suitable for use in casinos, and to tables for playing the game. The game combines the concepts of draw poker with simultaneous play against a dealer (the house) and play against other players. Players who are dealt “premium hands” (as hereafter defined) can receive bonus payments, depending on the value of the hand. Because the players are not permitted to increase their wagers, the game moves rapidly.  
       [0009] The game follows the rules of stud poker, and a single, 52-card deck is used. Each player&#39;s poker hand is made from 5 dealt cards, with the right to use a common card to improve the dealt hand if the player elects to discard and pay the house for the privilege of using this common card. The dealer has same option as other players, i.e., to make the best five-card hand from six cards; however, the dealer does not pay to use the common card. Each player plays head-to-head against the dealer for one part of the wager, and against the other players or another part of the wager (the “common pot” or “Players Pot”). A bonus or “premium pot” provides the players with an opportunity to win a multiple of their ante wagers. The game is designed to encourage players to play for several hands or rounds.  
       [0010] Premium or bonus pots have become very popular with the gaming public. This game incorporates a premium pot, but unlike conventional games (e.g., Caribbean Stud) where players contribute to the makeup of that pot, the present game has a bonus system which does not require a direct contribution by the players. Casino games which provide bonus payouts for extraordinary hands generally limit such payments to truly outstanding hands—a straight or better. Although the practice of limiting premium payments to straights or better could be maintained in the present game, statistical analysis indicates that the game will generate a profit to the house even if payouts are made to players having poker hands as low as three-of-a-kind. Accordingly, as used herein, a “premium hand” refers to poker hands of three-of-a-kind or better, or a straight or better, depending on the threshold set by the house.  
       [0011] No matter which threshold is adopted—three-of-a-kind or straight—a player will receive a bonus or premium payment from the house only if the player&#39;s hand is higher than that of the dealer. For example, if a player holds a straight and the dealer holds a flush, the player will loose his bet with dealer and no bonus (premium) payout will be made.  
       [0012] In cases where a premium hand is eligible for a bonus payment, the amount of the bonus payment is based on the statistical rarity of the hand. For example, if a first player has a hand containing three-of-a-kind, and a second player has a hand containing a straight flush (both hands higher than that of the dealer), the second player would receive a higher bonus payout than the first player. As the forgoing example illustrates, more than one player may receive a bonus payment in a given round.  
       [0013] From the house&#39;s perspective, providing an opportunity for a bonus payment for hands as low as three-of-a-kind should attract additional players to the table. Statistical analysis of the game demonstrates that the funds required to make the bonus payouts can be generated from the monies paid to the dealer (house) when players buy the right to employ a sixth card.  
       [0014] Although the amount or cost of the right to discard and use the sixth card can be varied, the suggested price in this game would be $5.00. Because premium payouts will not be an every-game occurrence, sufficient funds to seed and maintain this bonus pool can easily be obtained from amounts paid over the course of many hands.  
       [0015] The game would proceed as follows. The dealer (house) operates from a table playing station which provides easy access to the players. In addition to the dealer, the game can be played by as many as six players around the table, each operating from a playing station which has a card playing area and a betting area. Each player&#39;s betting area contains at least two wager zones: a first Ante zone, and a second zone for wagers which form the “Players Pot.” Each player&#39;s playing area might also contain a marked region or regions for placing a discarded card and for paying the dealer for the right to make such a discard. The Players stations also contain a region or zone where cards can be dealt.  
       [0016] The dealer&#39;s playing station is somewhat different than that of the players. In addition to a region or zone for placing the five cards dealt to the dealer, in a preferred embodiment, the dealer&#39;s playing station contains a zone for placement of a common card which can be utilized by any of the players who opt to make a discard. In a preferred embodiment, the dealer&#39;s playing station also contains a region or zone for maintaining a common Players Pot.  
       [0017] In a preferred method, play would commence as follows: Each player would place a wager in a first Ante zone at his/her station on the table. The suggested minimum amount for an ante bet for this game would be $5.00, but the player would have the right to increase this wager up to a maximum of $25.00 in whole dollar-amounts. These minimum and maximum limits are given for purposes of illustration only, and could be higher or lower at house discretion.  
       [0018] Five cards are dealt to each player, starting with a player adjacent to the dealer; the dealer being dealt last. The cards may be dealt from right-to-left or left-to-right. The cards are dealt one-at-a-time, unless a machine is used, in which case the cards may be dealt five-at-a-time. Individual players are permitted to play only one hand at a time.  
       [0019] At some point in the deal, the dealer places a single card in a “common card” zone region of the table. All cards—Players, dealer&#39;s and the common card—are dealt face down.  
       [0020] The players look at their five cards and determine if they are going to play. If a player opts to fold, he or she indicates this by discarding all five cards to the dealer. Dealer then picks up the ante wager in the player&#39;s first Ante zone and the five cards dealt to the folding player. The forfeited ante wager belongs to the house.  
       [0021] If a player opts to continue, he or she indicates this by placing a second wager in the second, “Players Pot” zone at his/her playing station. Unlike the ante bet, the amount of this second wager is fixed—preferably at a $5.00 level.  
       [0022] At this point, the player has two options: standing pat, or discarding one card in the hopes of improving the hand by use of the as yet undisclosed common card. A player who opts to use the common card must place one of the dealt cards in a discard zone at his/her playing station, together with a payment to the dealer (e.g., $5.00) for the right to make this discard. In the next stage of play, the dealer would pick up the extra card payments and discards from each of the players who have opted to utilize the common card (viz., from all players except those who have opted to stand pat). As was the case with ante wagers collected from players who have decided not to continue, the extra card payments go to the house.  
       [0023] All cards returned to the dealer are placed in a discard area on the table or into a discard slot in the table. A preferred method would involve placing the discards in a holding area provided on the table, adjacent the dealer&#39;s playing station.  
       [0024] As noted above, it is envisioned that the receipts from players who opt to use the extra or common card will off-set any payments the house may make to players who have poker hands comprising three-of-a-kind or better. Players having these types of hands (a “bonus” hand) are entitled to a bonus or premium in addition to any wagers they may recover from the dealer or from other players through the “Players Pot.” One over-riding limitation on the right to receive a bonus payout is that the player&#39;s hand must be higher than that of the dealer. For example, a player holding a hand containing three fours, would not only loose to a dealer holding three fives, but that player would also not be entitled to a bonus payout. However, as described below, the player holding three fours could prevail in play against the other players and be entitled to the funds in the Players Pot.  
       [0025] At this point in the game, each of the remaining players will have two wagers on the table at his/her playing station—one wager in the Ante zone and a second wager in the Players Pot zone. As will be described in greater detail below, the wager in the Ante zone represents a bet between the player and the dealer. The wager in the player&#39;s second or Players Pot zone represents a bet with each of the remaining players, apart from the dealer. That is to say, except for a service charge or “rake” (described hereafter), the dealer is generally not eligible for any portion of the Players Pot (with one exception, described below).  
       [0026] Although the dealer does not participate as a player, the house may be entitled to a portion of the Players Pot as a service charge or “rake”. A commonly-used rake for casino card parlors is 5% of the pot. However, statistical analysis of the present game suggests that a rake would not be necessary to ensure a profit to the house. Should the house decide to impose a “rake,” it would only be imposed for pots in excess of $60 in value, and would preferably be limited to one or two dollars. The “rake” (if any) would be paid to the house when “Players Pot” is finely won by a player. These suggestions concerning the amount of the house “rake” are for illustration only, and variations could be made at the option of the house.  
       [0027] With respect to the bets placed on each player&#39;s “Players Pot” zone, these wagers could either be left in place until completion of the current hand, or gathered by the dealer in the common Players Pot region on the table to be combined with any previously-undistributed Players Pot wagers.  
       [0028] When the dealer has finished collecting discards from the players, he or she would turn over and expose the five cards which were dealt to the dealer. The dealer&#39;s subsequent actions are governed as follows: 1) If the dealer has a straight or better, the dealer stands pat, and may not discard and used the common card; 2) If the dealer has four cards to a flush, the dealer must discard the odd card, even if this results in breaking up a pair; 3) Similarly, if the dealer has four cards to a straight, he holds these cards, and discards the odd card, subject to the following rules: 3a) if the dealer has the choice between holding an open straight draw and an inside straight draw, he will hold the open straight draw; and, 3b) if the dealer has the choice between two inside straight draws, he will hold the higher of the two; 4) Finally, in all other cases, the dealer must discard the lowest unmatched card.  
       [0029] An example of situation 3a is as follows: if the dealer has the following dealt hand—3, 4, 5, 6, 8—he should discard the “8“, because this gives him two possibilities (a “2“or a “7”) to fill the straight; discarding the “3” would give him only one such possibility (a “7”). An example of situation 3b is the following—2, 3, 4, 6, 7. Although the dealer has only one possibility to improve this straight (a “5”), he should discard the “2” and not the “7” because a 7-high straight is better than a 6-high straight.  
       [0030] Stated mathematically, if “X” is the lowest value card in the hand which is initially dealt to the dealer, type 3b hands can be represented as: X+(X+1)+(X+2)+(X+4)+(X+5); or X +(X+1)+(X+3)+(X+4)+(X+5). In either situation, card X must be discarded by the dealer.  
       [0031] After the five cards dealt to the dealer have been exposed, and the dealer has made a discard (if required) in accordance with the above-outlined procedures, the dealer exposes the common card. Irrespective of the result of this turn-over on the value of the dealer&#39;s hand, all dealer hands must play.  
       [0032] After the dealer&#39;s hand has been exposed, the dealer turns up each player&#39;s hand, starting from his left to right. The dealer pays an amount equal to the Ante wager in the first betting zone to each player who has a higher poker hand than the dealer, and collects the Ante bets from all of the players with lower hands than the dealer. In a preferred embodiment, if the player&#39;s hand is both: 1) higher than the dealer&#39;s hand; and, 2) of the type which constitutes a “bonus” hand, then the player would receive a multiple of his bet. For example, if the player had anted $20, the dealer has a pair, and the player has two pairs, the player would receive his original $20 bet, plus $20 from the dealer. Given the same situation, but the player&#39;s hand comprising a full house, the player would receive his original $20 bet, plus $140 from the dealer (a 7:1 return in accordance with the following table). In those situations where a player and the dealer have hands of the same value, these hands result in a “push”, and no money is exchanged between the player and the dealer.  
       [0033] As to the amount of the bonus, in the preferred method, the bonus payouts by the dealer would be based on the amount a player has anted. Suggested payouts based on this system are as follows:  
                                                      Three of a Kind    2 to 1           Straight    3 to 1           Flush    5 to 1           Full House    7 to 1           Four of a Kind    20 to 1           Straight Flush   125 to 1           Royal Flush   250 to 1                      
 
       [0034] Using the above table, and assuming that the player&#39;s hand is higher than that of the dealer, a player who has anted the minimum of $5.00 who holds a flush would be entitled to a payment of $25.00 from the dealer, plus return of the $5.00 ante bet.  
       [0035] The foregoing table of bonus payouts has been provided by way of example, only, and could be varied at the discretion of the house. In particular, the house might well decide to start the bonus payouts at hands comprising a straight or better.  
       [0036] The final stage of play involves head-to-head competition among the players. Any player who has not folded will have anted money into a second betting zone on the table. The wagers in this second zone, plus any previously-undistributed wagers from prior hands, form a common, Players Pot. This pot will be paid to the player who has the highest poker hand, provided that the hand exceeds a predetermined threshold. While setting this threshold at three-of-a-kind or better should permit the Players Pot to build up to attractive levels over several rounds of play, the threshold could be set as low as two pairs at the option of the house.  
       [0037] If more than one player has a hand whose value meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold, the player with the highest poker hand will receive the Players Pot. If no player has a hand which meets or exceeds the threshold, the current hand&#39;s Players Pot wagers are added to any previous wagers in the Common Players Pot, and the pool continues to succeeding hands until someone obtains a hand which satisfies the minimum threshold of either two pairs or three-of-a-kind. As noted above, the dealer does not normally participate in the Players Pot (apart from the house “rake”).  
       [0038] In the event that a new player (i.e., an individual who has not previously placed an ante bet) would like to enter the game after a Players Pot has started (i.e., while there are undistributed funds in the Common Players Pot), he/she may do so by contributing an amount proportional to as many hands that have been played. For example, if three hands have been played, each current player who has not folded along the way will have contributed $15 to the Common Players Pot (3×$5). A new player who wishes to enter the game at this juncture could do so by contributing $15 to the Common Players Pot prior to the start of the next hand. If a new player does not want to make a contribution to the Common Players Pot, his/her participation in the game is limited to head-to-head play against the house (including the right to receive a bonus payment for premium hands as defined by the rules of the game) until the then-current common Players Pot is won.  
       [0039] There is one exception to the rule that the dealer is not eligible for the Common Players Pot. In the event that only one player is at the table, the house may contribute an amount equal to $5 times y (where y is the number of previously-played hands without a Players Pot payoff). This exception would only apply in the case where only one player is left at the table.  
       [0040] In summary, under the method described above, a player has three opportunities to win: 1) by having a higher poker hand in one-on-one play with the dealer; 2) by having the highest poker hand among all of the players at the table (subject to a threshold of two pairs or three-of-a-kind); and, 3) by having a “premium” or “bonus” hand (e.g., three-of-a-kind or better) which entitles the player to a premium payout from the house. Operation of the game can be further understood with reference to the description of apparatus for playing the game.  
       [0041] Finally, it should be possible to add a “progressive pot” option to the present game. Progressive pots, which are familiar to participants in casino poker games, provide a player with an option of contributing a small wager (e.g., $1.00) for the opportunity to win a relatively large sum of money in the event the player holds a royal flush. The normal procedure with respect to this option is to allow funds to accumulate over a long period of time, and to award the accumulated value of the progressive pot (less expenses and a house rake) to any player who has such a hand. In straight poker, the odds of being dealt five cards comprising a royal flush are in the neighborhood of 650,000:1. While providing players an opportunity to use a sixth card will reduce these odds, somewhat, nonetheless, statistics would predict a payout of several hundred thousand to one, which could further enhance the allure of the game.  
       [0042] Although certain apparatus constructed in accordance with the teachings of the invention is described herein, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the invention fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
     [0043]FIG. 1 is a plan view depicting a table which can be used for playing the casino poker game of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0044] Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 discloses a casino poker table at  10 . Table  10  has a generally semi-circular shape and is provided with a recessed area  11  where a dealer can stand and have access to the cards and wagers of the players around the table. Immediately in front of recessed area  11  is a dealer&#39;s playing station  11   a  where the dealer&#39;s cards can be dealt.  
     [0045] Six player areas or playing stations  12   a ,  12   b ,  12   c ,  12   d ,  12   e  and  12   f  are disposed along the arcuate side of table  10 , across from dealer station  11   a . Each player&#39;s station  12   a  through  12   f  has corresponding player&#39;s card playing areas  13   a  through  13   f , first betting zones  14   a  through  14   f , second betting zones  15   a  through  15   f , and discard areas  19   a  through  19   f . Betting zones  14 ,  15  and discard areas  19  are defined by indicia (not shown) on the top of table  10 .  
     [0046] In front of dealer&#39;s playing station  1   a  is a dealer&#39;s card area  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  for display of dealer&#39;s initial five cards, and a separate card area  17  for display of a sixth (common) card. The region in front of the dealer also contains a Players Pot zone  18  for holding chips or cash. Zone  18  could be labeled “Players Pot” to indicate its function.  
     [0047] As described in the preceding paragraphs, play commences by each player placing an ante wager in first betting zone  14 . In one embodiment of the invention, the dealer then deals five cards to each of the players who has made an ante wager, placing five of the dealt cards in each player&#39;s card playing area  13 . Cards are dealt from dealer&#39;s left to right, one-at-a-time. All cards, including those in dealer&#39;s area  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c ,  16   d ,  16   e  and  17  are dealt in a face-down position. After inspection of their cards, players who decide to continue signify this fact by placing a second wager in second betting zone  15 . Those players who opt not to play, will push the cards in zone  13  toward the dealer and will forfeit the wager in zone  14  to the dealer.  
     [0048] Thereafter, any player desiring to improve his or her original hand may discard one card by placing it and an appropriate fee in his/her discard area  19 , and utilize the sixth card at zone  17  as part of the hand. Any cards and wagers in player zones  19   a - 19   f  are collected by the dealer. In a preferred embodiment, the wagers in second betting zones  15   a - 15   f  would be moved by the dealer to Players Pot zone  18  and combined with any funds already there.  
     [0049] Once each player has opted to stay or to fold, and has made a decision as to standing pat or using the sixth card at zone  17 , play commences by the dealer turning the dealer&#39;s five cards in areas  16   a - 16   e  to a face-up position. At this point the sixth card at location  17  is turned over, as are all of the Players hands. Depending on the nature of the poker hand formed by the cards in area  16   a - 16   f , the dealer may have the option of discarding and using the sixth card in area  17 .  
     [0050] The dealer&#39;s hand is compared with the hands of each of the players, in turn. If a player has a higher-value poker hand than the dealer, the wager at zone  14  will be returned to the player, together with an equal amount from the dealer. If the player has a premium hand (as defined above), he or she will receive a bonus payment from the dealer. On the other hand, if a player&#39;s hand is lower in value than that of the dealer, the wager at zone  14  will be surrendered to the dealer.  
     [0051] Finally, if at least one of the players has a poker hand in excess of the predetermined threshold (e.g., three-of-a-kind or better), his or her hand will be compared with the hands of the other players and the funds in Players Pot zone  18  (less any house rake) will be awarded to the player having the highest value hand. If no player has a hand which meets the predetermined threshold, the wagers in Players Pot zone  18  will remain on the table and form part of the pot in the next hand.  
     [0052] Although a preferred embodiment has been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.