Patent Publication Number: US-6702289-B1

Title: Pai Gow poker-type card game of chance using a random number generator with a side bet

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to poker games, more particularly, to a form of Pai Gow poker that includes bonus hands. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A very popular casino card game is Pai Gow poker. A player is dealt seven cards which she then arranges to make two hands: a two-card hand (low hand) and a five-card hand (high hand). Rankings are based on basic poker rankings. Thus, the highest two-card hand is two aces, and the highest five-card hand is a royal flush. When arranging the cards into the two-card and five-card hands, it is important to remember that the five-card hand must be ranked higher than the two-card hand. The object is for the player&#39;s two-card hand to rank higher than the dealer&#39;s two-card hand and for the player&#39;s five-card hand to rank higher than the dealer&#39;s five-card hand. The dealer wins all tied hands. If the player wins one hand and loses the other hand, a “push” results and no money exchanges hands. If the player wins both hands, she is paid even money, less a commission of typically 5%. If the player loses both hands, she loses the money wagered. 
     To start the game, the dealer deals out seven hands of seven cards each. Then the hands are placed in player or dealer positions depending upon the result of a random number generator. In some gaming establishments, the random number generator is a set of three dice, where the sum of the dice determines the position to receive the first hand. In other establishments, the random number generator is a digital electronic device built into the table that displays a number 1 through 7, which determines the position to receive the first hand. The remainder of the hands are placed in the remainder of the player and dealer positions in a clockwise direction. Each player then arranges his cards into a two-card low and a five-card high hand as described above. The house dealer does not look at the cards until all players have set their hands in the designated table spaces face down. The dealer then turns his cards over and sets his hands in front of the tray face up. The arrangement of cards into the two-card and five-card by which the dealer sets his hands are determined by rules of the gaming establishment. Finally, the player&#39;s hands are compared to the dealer&#39;s hand to determine the winners, losers, and ties. 
     There are two reasons why gaming establishments do not prefer Pai Gow poker. Not coincidentally, they are also reasons why the game is popular. The first is that, because of the number of steps involved, the game is rather slow: (1) the cards are dealt, (2) the first position to receive a hand is determined, (3) the hands are placed, (4) the players set their hands, (5) the dealer sets his hand, and, finally, (6) the hands are compared and the winners are determined. The second reason that gaming establishments are not fond of Pai Gow poker is that not every game wins or loses. A significant percentage of the time, a hand ends in a push, where no money changes hands, reducing the establishment&#39;s chance of winning. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a Pai Gow poker game that provides a player more opportunities for winning than standard Pai Gow poker. 
     Another object is to provide a Pai Gow poker game that provides greater odds for the gaming establishment while retaining the aspects of the game that players like. 
     Another object is to provide a Pai Gow poker game that moves faster than standard Pai Gow poker. 
     The basic game of the present invention is a variation on standard Pai Gow poker with the inclusion of bonuses on partial hands. Another aspect is a Pai Gow-like poker game that is played with fewer than the standard seven cards. A third aspect is the inclusion of a side bet based on the random number generator used to determine which position receives the first hand. 
     The present specification describes five sample games: (1) a seven-card game with three-card and five-card bonus phases, a seven-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional seven-card bonus phase; (2) a seven-card game with a three-card bonus phase, a seven-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional seven-card bonus phase; (3) a five-card game without bonuses; (4) a five-card game with a three-card bonus phase, a five-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional five-card bonus phase; and (5) a seven-card game with three-card and five-card bonus phases, three-card, five-card, and seven-card Pai Gow phases, and an optional seven-card bonus phase. 
     The basic method of the present invention, that of example games 1, 2, 4 and 5, is a method for playing a card game between a banker and at least one player, where the game includes a Pai Gow phase using a total number of cards and at least one bonus phase using a bonus number of cards fewer than the total number. The game provides for the player to place a wager on the bonus outcome and the Pai Gow outcome and for a bonus payout schedule. Cards are dealt to each player and dealer to form a partial hand. The player&#39;s partial hand is compared to the bonus payout schedule and appropriate payouts are made to the player. Then cards are dealt to each player and dealer until each hand has a total number of cards. The player and dealer divide their hands into low and high hands, then the player&#39;s and dealer&#39;s hands are compared, and appropriate payouts are made. 
     Another basic method of the present invention, that of example game 3, is a method for playing a card game between a banker and at least one player, where the game provides for the player to place a wager on the outcome. Cards are dealt to each player and dealer to form a hand of less than seven cards. The player and dealer divide their hands into low and high hands, then the player&#39;s and dealer&#39;s hands are compared, and appropriate payouts are made. 
     A third basic method of the present invention includes providing a side bet based on the result of a random number generator that is used to determine the first position to received cards during the deal of a Pai Gow game. 
     The present invention contemplates that the game may be played on a variety of media, including regular paper playing cards at a table and electronic media, such as video machines at gaming establishments, standalone personal computers, personal computers on a network, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). 
    
    
     Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following drawings and detailed description of the invention. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a drawing of an example table layout of a seven-card game with two bonuses of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a drawing of an example table layout of a seven-card game with one bonus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a drawing of an example table layout of a five-card game without bonuses of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a drawing of an example table layout of a five-card game with bonus of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a drawing of an example table layout of a seven-card game with multiple Pai Gow hands and bonuses of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 6 is a drawing of an example machine for playing the seven-card game with bonuses of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The basic game of the present invention is a variation on standard Pai Gow poker with the inclusion of bonuses that may be won during the play of a game. The bonuses are based on partial hands received during the course of the game. For example, a bonus may be based on the first three cards dealt to the player and/or on the first five cards dealt to the player. Another aspect of the present invention is a Pai Gow-like poker game that is played with fewer than the standard seven cards, for example, five cards divided into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. A third aspect of the present invention is the inclusion of a side bet based on the random number generator used in standard Pai Gow poker to determine which player or dealer position receives the first hand. 
     A. Game Background 
     The term “card” is used in the present application to indicate a playing card or any facsimile thereof. For example, a card can be a paper playing card or an image of a card on a video display or ticket. Any representation of a playing card is contemplated. In addition, each card has a value which, for the standard poker decks of 52 cards, includes the suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, spades) and the number (2-10, J, Q, K, A). Finally, the general rules of Pai Gow poker include the use of a 53 rd  card, a joker, that can be used to complete a straight, to complete a flush, or as an ace. In the present invention, the use of a joker or any other wild card is optional. 
     As described below, winning hands are typically determined by standard Pai Gow poker rankings. Standard Pai Gow poker rankings are the same as standard poker rankings, with the exception that the second highest straight is A-2-3-4-5. The use of standard Pai Gow rankings is merely a convenience, and are used primarily because most people know the rankings and know, for example, that it is more difficult to get a straight than to get a pair. However, the present invention contemplates that some standard card combination may be excluded and that other card combinations may be used to determine winning hands. For example, straights and flushes may be excluded from the hand rankings. Examples of combinations that may be included in ranking are hands of all even numbered cards, hands with at least one card from each suit, and/or pairs of like-colored cards. Unless otherwise indicated, the examples in the remainder of the specification will use standard Pai Gow poker rankings. 
     Standard Pai Gow rules require that the two-card hand have a rank that is equal to or lower than the rank of the five-card hand. The present invention contemplates that the reverse may also be true, that the two-card hand is equal to or higher in rank that that of the five-card hand. 
     Pai Gow may be played with a banker other than the gaming establishment, which means that the dealer does not necessarily represent the banker. The present invention contemplates that such an option is available. The remainder of the specification uses the term, “dealer”, to denote the person dealing the cards and the term, “banker”, to denote the person or entity having the hand against which the players&#39; hands are compared. It is possible, and generally likely, that the dealer and banker will be the same. 
     Winning bonus hands of the present invention are generally paid as a multiple of the amount wagered. However, it is also contemplated that a bonus may be paid as a percentage of a jackpot that is “set” or “progressive”. In a set jackpot, the amount put into the jackpot for each game is fixed, but the fixed amount may be adjusted periodically, for example, after the jackpot is won. In a progressive jackpot, the amount put into the jackpot increases for each game played during which the jackpot is not won. 
     Finally, non-monetary winnings, such as toys, gifts, or coupons, are possible. It is also contemplated that the game may be played for fun rather than for monetary gain. 
     B. Game Play 
     The present specification employs five sample games to describe the present invention. The first game is a seven-card game with a three-card bonus phase, a five-card bonus phase, a seven-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional seven-card bonus phase. The second game is a seven-card game with a three-card bonus phase, a seven-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional seven-card bonus phase. The third game is a five-card game without bonuses. The fourth game is a five-card game with a three-card bonus phase, a five-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional five-card bonus phase. The fifth game is a seven-card game with a three-card bonus phase, a three-card Pai Gow phase, a five-card bonus phase, a five-card Pai Gow phase, a seven-card Pai Gow phase, and an optional seven-card bonus phase. It is understood that present invention is not limited to Pai Gow hands of five cards or seven cards. It is also understood that the present invention is not limited to bonuses of three and/or five cards. The bonus hand or hands may have any number of cards up to and including all cards in the hand. For example, bonuses may be available on two and four card hands, rather than on three and five cards hands. The present invention also contemplates that the Pai Gow hand may be divided into two hands where the low hand does not have two cards. For example, the seven-card game may have a three-card low hand and a four-card high hand. 
     Before game play begins, the house determines the exact rules of the game, including such items as how many cards are in a hand, how many cards are in the low and high hands, how many and what combination of cards are available for bonuses, the amounts that can be wagered, the payout schedule, the rules used by the banker for setting the hands, whether cards are dealt face up or face down, the percentage, if any, taken by the house or banker on winning hands, and any other rules necessary to playing the game. For the following examples, standard Pai Gow poker rules are assumed, except where otherwise noted. 
     1. Seven-Card Game with Two Bonuses 
     The example seven-card game begins with each player having the option to wager on the three-card bonus phase, the five-card bonus phase, the Pai Gow phase, and/or the optional seven-card bonus phase, if desired. As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming table  10  includes a position  12  for each player and a position  14  for the dealer. Wagering for the three-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the three-card spot  20 , wagering for the five-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the five-card spot  22 , wagering for the Pai Gow phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the Pai Gow spot  26 , and wagering for the optional seven-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the seven-card spot  24 . Each wager is optional, but at least one must be made, otherwise the player does not participate in that particular game. 
     After wagers are made, the dealer deals out three cards to each player position  12  to form a three-card partial hand and to the dealer&#39;s position  14  to form a three-card partial hand. As indicated above, standard Pai Gow rules call for the use of a random number generator  16  to determine the first position to receive cards. Typically, the random number generator  16  is a set of three dice or a digital electronic device. In the present invention, the use of a random number generator  16  is optional. If it is used, there are two possibilities as to when the resulting random number is employed. In the first, the three-card hands are dealt out first and then placed according to the random number generator  16 . The random number generator  16  determines the first position to receive a hand and the remainder of the positions receive hands in a clockwise direction from the first position. In the second, the random number generator  16  determines the first position to receive the cards and then the three-card hands are dealt to each position, starting with the first position and continuing clockwise. If a random number generator  16  is not used, the dealer may start with whatever position is dictated by the game rules. Typically, the deal will start at the position to the dealer left and continue clockwise. 
     The present invention contemplates that the outcome of the random number generator  16 , that is, the number of the position to receive the first hand, can be the subject of a side bet. For example, each player position  12  on the table layout  10  may include seven spots  18 , one for each player position  12  and the dealer position  14 . The player wagers on the number of the position to receive the first hand by placing a wager in one or more of these spots  18 . Obviously, the wagering must be done sometime before the random number generator  16  indicates a position. If the player wagers correctly, she wins an amount that is a multiple of her wager. Since the odds of winning such a wager are one in seven for each spot, the payout may be, for example, five to one, so that the banker has better than even odds of coming out ahead in the long run. 
     After the first three cards are dealt to each position, each player that wagered on the three-card bonus phase determines if she is entitled to a three-card bonus by comparing the three-card partial hand to a three-card bonus payout schedule, an example of which is shown in Table I. If the player believes she is entitled to a bonus, she places her cards face up on the table. If the dealer or banker agrees that the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the three-card payout schedule. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE I 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Hand 
                 X Amount 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Straight Flush 
                 40 
               
               
                   
                 Three of a Kind 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 Straight 
                  6 
               
               
                   
                 Flush 
                  4 
               
               
                   
                 Pair 
                  1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     After all players that have wagered on the three-card bonus phase have been settled, the dealer deals out two more cards to each player position  12  to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a five-card partial hand and to the dealer position  14  to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a five-card partial hand. Now each player that wagered on the five-card bonus phase determines if she is entitled to a five-card bonus by comparing her five-card partial hand to a five-card bonus payout schedule, an example of which is shown in Table II. If the player believes she is entitled to a bonus, she places her cards face up on the table. If the dealer or banker agrees that the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the five-card payout schedule. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE II 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Hand 
                 X Amount 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Royal Flush 
                 1000  
               
               
                   
                 Straight Flush 
                 200 
               
               
                   
                 Four of a Kind 
                 100 
               
               
                   
                 Full House 
                  25 
               
               
                   
                 Straight 
                  8 
               
               
                   
                 Three of a Kind 
                  5 
               
               
                   
                 Two Pair 
                  2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     After all players that have wagered on the five-card bonus phase have been settled, the dealer deals out two more cards to each player position  12  to combine with the five-card bonus hand to form a seven-card Pai-Gow hand and to the dealer position  14  to combine with the five-card partial hand to form a seven-card Pai Gow hand. From this point, the Pai Gow phase is typically played like standard Pai Gow poker. Each player divides her cards into a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand. The low hand is placed in the appropriate spot  28  at the player&#39;s position  12  and the high hand is placed in the appropriate spot  30  at the player&#39;s position  12 . The banker then sets his cards appropriately into a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand. The player&#39;s hands are then compared to the banker&#39;s hands to determine if the total game is a win, loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. For a push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates that the player&#39;s complete seven-card hand can be compared to the banker&#39;s complete seven-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push. 
     Optionally, a seven-card bonus phase is offered. The dealer or banker determines if any player that wagered on the seven-card bonus phase is entitled to a seven-card bonus by comparing the seven-card hand to a seven-card bonus payout schedule. If the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the seven-card payout schedule. The seven-card payout schedule can include such items as the best five cards out of the seven, seven card straights and flushes, all cards of one color, etc. 
     2. Seven-Card Game with One Bonus 
     The example seven-card game begins with each player having the option to wager on the three-card bonus phase, the Pai Gow phase, and/or the optional 7-card bonus phase, if desired. As shown in FIG. 2, the gaming table  32  includes a position  34  for each player and a position  36  for the dealer. Wagering for the three-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the three-card spot  38 , wagering for the Pai Gow phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the Pai Gow spot  42 , and wagering for the optional five-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the five-card spot  40 . Each wager is optional, but at least one must be made, otherwise the player does not participate in that particular game. 
     After wagers are made, the dealer deals out three cards to each player&#39;s position  34  to form a three-card partial hand and the dealer&#39;s position  36  to form a three-card partial hand. As described above with respect to the seven-card game, a random number generator may be used to determine the first position to receive a hand. 
     After the first three cards are dealt to each position, each player that wagered on the three-card bonus phase determines if she is entitled to a three-card bonus by comparing her three-card partial hand to a three-card bonus payout schedule. If the player believes she is entitled to a bonus, she places her cards face up on the table. If the dealer or banker agrees that the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the three-card payout schedule. 
     After all players that have wagered on the three-card bonus phase have been settled, the dealer deals out four more cards to each player position  34  to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a seven-card Pai Gow hand and to the dealer position  36  to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a seven-card Pai Gow hand. Each player divides her seven cards into a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand. The rank of the low hand cannot exceed the rank of the high hand. The low hand is placed in the appropriate spot  44  at the player&#39;s position  34  and the high hand is placed in the appropriate spot  46  at the player&#39;s position  34 . The banker then sets his cards appropriately into a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand. The player&#39;s hands are then compared to the banker&#39;s hands to determine if there is a win, loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. For a push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates that the player&#39;s complete seven-card hand can be compared to the banker&#39;s complete seven-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push. 
     Optionally, a seven-card bonus phase is offered. The dealer or banker determines if any player that wagered on the seven-card bonus phase is entitled to a seven-card bonus by comparing the seven-card hand to a seven-card bonus payout schedule. If the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the seven-card payout schedule. The seven-card payout schedule can include such items as the best five cards out of the seven, seven card straights and flushes, all cards of one color, etc. 
     3. Five-Card Game without Bonus 
     The example five-card game without bonus begins with each player wagering on the outcome of the game. As shown in FIG. 3, the gaming table  50  includes a position  52  for each player and a position  54  for the dealer. Wagering is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the appropriate spot  60  at the player&#39;s position. 
     After wagers are made, the dealer deals out five cards to each player position  52  and the dealer&#39;s position  54 . As described above with respect to the seven-card game, a random number generator  56  may be used to determine the first position to receive a hand. As described above, the players may also wager on the outcome of the random number generator  56  by placing wagers in the appropriate spots  58 . 
     Each player divides her total number of cards into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. The rank of the low hand cannot exceed the rank of the high hand. The low hand is placed in the appropriate spot  62  in the player&#39;s position  52  and the high hand is placed in the appropriate spot  64  in the player&#39;s position  52 . The banker then sets his total number of cards appropriately into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. The player&#39;s hands are then compared to the banker&#39;s hands to determine if there is a win, loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. For a push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates that the player&#39;s total five-card hand can be compared to the banker&#39;s total five-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push. 
     4. Five-Card Game with Bonus 
     The example five-card game begins with each player having the option to wager on the three-card bonus phase, the Pai Gow phase, and/or the optional 5-card bonus phase, if desired. As shown in FIG. 4, the gaming table  66  includes a position  68  for each player and a position  70  for the dealer. Wagering for the three-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the three-card spot  72 , wagering for the Pai Gow phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the Pai Gow spot  76 , and wagering for the optional five-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the five-card spot  74 . Each wager is optional, but at least one must be made, otherwise the player does not participate in that particular game. 
     After wagers are made, the dealer deals out three cards to each player&#39;s position  68  to form a three-card partial hand and the dealer&#39;s position  70  to form a three-card partial hand. As described above with respect to the seven-card game, a random number generator may be used to determine the first position to receive a hand. 
     After the first three cards are dealt to each position, each player that wagered on the three-card bonus phase determines if she is entitled to a three-card bonus by comparing her three-card partial hand to a three-card bonus payout schedule. If the player believes she is entitled to a bonus, she places her cards face up on the table. If the dealer or banker agrees that the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the three-card payout schedule. 
     After all players that have wagered on the three-card bonus phase have been settled, the dealer deals out two more cards to each player position  68  to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a five-card Pai Gow hand and to the dealer position  70  to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a five-card Pai Gow hand. Each player divides her cards into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. The rank of the low hand cannot exceed the rank of the high hand. The low hand is placed in the appropriate spot  78  at the player&#39;s position  68  and the high hand is placed in the appropriate spot  80  at the player&#39;s position  68 . The banker then sets his cards appropriately into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. The player&#39;s hands are then compared to the banker&#39;s hands to determine if there is a win, loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. For a push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates that the player&#39;s complete five-card hand can be compared to the banker&#39;s complete five-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push. 
     Optionally, a five-card bonus phase is offered. The dealer or banker determines if any player that wagered on the five-card bonus phase is entitled to a seven-card bonus by comparing the five-card hand to a five-card bonus payout schedule. If the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the five-card payout schedule. 
     5. Seven-Card Combined Game 
     The example seven-card combined game begins with each player having the option to wager on the three-card bonus phase, the three-card Pai Gow phase, the five-card bonus phase, the five-card Pai Gow phase, the seven-card Pai Gow phase, and/or the optional seven-card bonus phase, if desired. As shown in FIG. 5, the gaming table  82  includes a position  84  for each player and a position  86  for the dealer. Wagering for the three-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the three-card bonus spot  88 , wagering for the three-card Pai Gow phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the three-card Pai Gow spot  90 , wagering for the five-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the five-card bonus spot  92 , wagering for the five-card Pai Gow phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the five-card Pai Gow spot  94 , and wagering for the seven-card Pai Gow phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the Pai Gow spot  98 , and wagering for the optional seven-card bonus phase is done by placing a wager of the desired amount in the seven-card bonus spot  96 . Each wager is optional, but at least one must be made, otherwise the player does not participate in that particular game. 
     After wagers are made, the dealer deals out three cards to each player position  84  to form a three-card partial hand and the dealer&#39;s position  86  to form a three-card partial hand. After the first three cards are dealt to each position, each player that wagered on the three-card bonus phase determines if she is entitled to a three-card bonus by comparing her three-card partial hand to a three-card bonus payout schedule. If the player believes she is entitled to a bonus, she places her cards face up on the table. If the dealer or banker agrees that the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the three-card payout schedule. 
     In the three-card Pai Gow phase, each player divides her three-card partial hand into a one-card low hand and a two-card high hand. The low hand is placed in the appropriate spot  100  at the player&#39;s position  84  and the high hand is placed in the appropriate spot  102  at the player&#39;s position  84 . The banker then sets his cards appropriately into a one-card low hand and a two-card high hand. The player&#39;s hands are then compared to the banker&#39;s hands to determine if the total game is a win, loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. For a push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates that the player&#39;s complete three-card hand can be compared to the banker&#39;s complete three-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push. 
     After all players that have wagered on the three-card Pai Gow phase have been settled, the dealer deals out two more cards to each player position  84  to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a five-card partial hand and to the dealer position  86  to combine with the three-card partial hand to form a five-card partial hand. Now each player that wagered on the five-card bonus phase determines if she is entitled to a five-card bonus by comparing her five-card partial hand to a five-card bonus payout schedule. If the player believes she is entitled to a bonus, she places her cards face up on the table. If the dealer or banker agrees that the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the five-card payout schedule. 
     In the five-card Pai Gow phase, each player divides her five-card partial hand into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. The low hand is placed in the appropriate spot  100  at the player&#39;s position  84  and the high hand is placed in the appropriate spot  102  at the player&#39;s position  84 . The banker then sets his cards appropriately into a two-card low hand and a three-card high hand. The player&#39;s hands are then compared to the banker&#39;s hands to determine if the total game is a win, loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. For a push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates that the player&#39;s complete seven-card hand can be compared to the banker&#39;s complete seven-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push. 
     After all players that have wagered on the five-card Pai Gow phase have been settled, the dealer deals out two more cards to each player position  84  to combine with the five-card partial hand to form a seven-card Pai Gow hand and to the dealer position  86  to combine with the five-card partial hand to form a seven-card Pai Gow hand. Each player divides her seven cards into a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand. The low hand is placed in the appropriate spot  100  at the player&#39;s position  84  and the high hand is placed in the appropriate spot  102  at the player&#39;s position  84 . The banker then sets his cards appropriately into a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand. The player&#39;s hands are then compared to the banker&#39;s hands to determine if there is a win, loss, or push. For a win, the player receives the same amount as her wager, minus 5% for the house or banker. For a loss, the player loses her wager. For a push, no money is exchanged. Alternatively, the present invention contemplates that the player&#39;s complete seven-card hand can be compared to the banker&#39;s complete seven-card hand to determine a winner if there is a push. 
     Optionally, a seven-card bonus phase is offered. The dealer or banker determines if any player that wagered on the seven-card bonus phase is entitled to a seven-card bonus by comparing the seven-card hand to a seven-card bonus payout schedule. If the player is entitled to a bonus, the player is paid the appropriate amount based on the seven-card payout schedule. The seven-card payout schedule can include such items as the best five cards out of the seven, seven card straights and flushes, all cards of one color, etc. 
     C. Playing Media 
     As indicated above, the present invention contemplates that the game may be played on a variety of media, including the use of regular paper playing cards at a table in a gaming establishment and the use of electronic media, the former being described above. 
     Electronic media includes standalone machines and machines on networks. With a standalone machine, each player has her own terminal  200 . An example is a video machine at a gaming establishment, as shown in FIG. 6, for playing the seven-card game described above. Other examples include personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc. Prior to playing any game, the player inserts cash, tokens, or paper, tickets into a money reader  220 , swipes a credit or debit card in a card reader  222 , inputs a credit or debit card number, or any other way available on the machine to provide a cash or monetary equivalent. The player begins a game by pressing the START button  202 . Next, the player is permitted to enter which bonuses and game, if any, she wants to play by pressing the appropriate buttons  204 ,  206 ,  208  and the amounts to wager in the keypad  226 . Optionally, the wager amounts for each bonus and game are predetermined, for example, only a $5 bet is allowed for a bonus and only a $20 bet is allowed for the Pai Gow game. 
     After wagering is complete, the machine  200  deals three cards to the player row  212  for the three-card bonus, assuming it is being played. If the hand formed by these three cards creates a hand that is entitled to a bonus payout as indicated by the three-card bonus payout table  216 , such a payout is made. Next, the machine  200  deals two more cards to the player row  214  for the five-card bonus, assuming it is being played. If the hand formed by these five cards creates a hand that is entitled to a bonus payout as indicated by the five-card bonus payout table  218 , such a payout is made. 
     After the bonuses are complete, the machine deals the remaining two cards to the player row  212  and the player is allowed to set the two-card low hand and five-card high hand. There are any number of ways that this can be used to set the hands. For example, each card location  228  is numbered and the keypad is used to move cards to the low hand. Alternatively, the display is touch sensitive and the last two cards touched go into the low hand. The present invention contemplates that any way of selecting cards for each hand can be used. The low hand is displayed separately from the high hand, as at  230 ,  232 . 
     After the hands are set, the player presses the PLAY button  210  to complete the game. The machine  200  displays a two-card low hand and a five-card high hand in the banker row  214  and then compares the hands. Winning amounts are credited to the player and may be printed on a voucher or paper ticket, as at  224 , paid in coins or other monetary tokens by the machine itself, or credited to the player&#39;s credit or debit card. Losing amounts are deducted from the player&#39;s account. 
     The present invention also contemplates that the machine may be a component of a network wherein one machine is operated by the banker and other machines are operated by the players. 
     The above-described machines are merely examples of machines that can be used to implement the present invention. Any machine that can offer the game using the rules described above is contemplated by the present invention. 
     Thus it has been shown and described a card game which satisfies the objects set forth above. 
     Since certain changes may be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is intended that all matter described in the foregoing specification and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.