Patent Publication Number: US-2007096393-A1

Title: Multiple winners card game, game board and method for play

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      Not Applicable  
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not Applicable  
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX  
      Not Applicable  
     BACKGROUND  
      The present invention relates generally to games, and, more particularly, to a wagering card game, a game board, and a specialized set of dice where one or more players may bet and win on one or more possible outcomes.  
      The background information discussed below is presented to better illustrate the novelty and usefulness of the present invention. This background information is not admitted prior art.  
      Despite the increase in the number of gambling and gambling casinos, many people still prefer to do their game playing at home or in the homes of their family and friends. Many of these players are more interested in having a good time than they are in what often is the heady thrill of the win/lose stakes of wagering. Thus, the height of the stakes is not as important to such players as is their level of enjoyment when participating in a friendly gambling game. When a betting game is kept friendly, fun, and affordable even children may enjoy participating.  
      One way to further increase the pleasure of taking part in a card wagering game is to provide for games that allow for more than one person to win per hand and/or for each player to win more than one bet per hand. Especially when games are designed for children it would be desirable to design games that provide for multiple winners, so that the young players learn that win-win situations can be just as much fun, if not more, than a win/lose situation, such as where only one person can win per game. This strategy decreases the emphasis on the intense negative competitive pressure that is a part of many of today&#39;s games by introducing the idea of a win-win play strategy.  
      In addition to those who enjoy partaking in wagering games in a more private setting, such as in their home, there are those who prefer to participate in wagering games that are offered in public venues, such as at a gambling casino. Thus, there is a need for wagering games played with cards and a game board where one or more players may bet and win on one or more possible outcomes where the game is designed to be played in both public venues and in a home environment. Such a game, ideally, would be available as a complete package, that is, when purchased the game would contain all of the parts required for play and would be available in a format suitable for use in a casino setting and in a format for home use. Furthermore, such a wagering game that also provided for players playing in a home setting to play against “the house” would be appreciated by many.  
      A wagering card game that is played with a game board and optionally, with dice that can be modified to accommodate the rules of a plurality of card games would also be appreciated. For example, a board on which various wagering card games could be played would provide for the board to be converted from a playing board appropriate for adult games to one appropriate for play by children. Thus the same board could be used when the grown-up members of a family play a game with friends of their own age or when they play with the junior members of their. family. Purchase of such a multi-use board reduces the expense when purchasing games and also results in requiring less game storage space. Additionally, being able to choose from a variety of games will keep users amused.  
      One attempt at fulfilling some of the current needs in the art mentioned above is a poker game that can be played by a plurality of players against a gaming establishment or “dealer”. The game includes a wagering board, table or covered surface containing drawings indicating an arrangement or set of 26 joined 2-cards combinations called “duos” of conventional poker playing cards. This game includes a separate deck of cards with suits and ranks that are identical to the cards on the wagering board. The objective of the players is to bet correctly which one among the 26 duos on the wagering board will be the first to be matched by the cards drawn one at a time by the dealer from the deck. While the cards are being shuffled by the dealer, the players make their bets on the wagering board and the placement of the bets on the board determines the corresponding payout odds for the winning bets. Although this game fulfills a need for a new form of a wagering game with simple rules and does allow players to play without a “dealer”, it does not allow for multiple winners per hand or for multiple games within one game package. In addition, it is not a dynamic game in that it does not allow for potential winning hands to change as play progress, and does not present forms of the game that are suitable for play by children.  
      Another attempt at filling the need in the art is a combination blackjack poker game. In this game, each of the players makes three wagers based on a hand of 5 cards. The players make the first wager related to the hand as a poker hand, and the second and third for two separate blackjack hands that are formed from the same set of cards in the poker hand. This game therefore allows for potentially three winners within each deal of cards. Namely, one player wins the poker hand, and one player wins each of the two blackjack hands. This game fulfills the need for a game where more than one person can win each hand. However, this game offers complex rules, requires players to play against a dealer, and does not provide for dynamic winning hands that may change as play progresses. In addition, this game does not provide for a modified version in which children can participate.  
      There are other attempts at fulfilling the need in the art, in the form of poker card games which allow “side-bets” whereby the players make one bet based on their poker hand and others side-bets relating to the cards that they will draw or the cards they will end up with in their poker hand. The only need this fulfills is to potentially allow multiple winners within one hand of poker. However, in order for multiple players to win, each player must make at least one bet. These games do not fulfill the need for a modifiable game with simple rules that can appeal to players of varying interests and skill levels.  
      Therefore, there is still currently an unmet need in the art for a wagering card game that provides for each hand to result in having multiple winners even if one or more player decides to place just one bet, that is easy to play thus accommodating players of varying levels of skill, that provides players the option of playing against the house or against one another, that offers a plurality of games all using the basic game board, while being made available for play in a professional gambling casino, gaming establishment, or in the privacy of the players&#39; home.  
     SUMMARY  
      The present invention satisfies the current unmet need for an improved device for a wagering game that is played with cards and a specialized set of dice, where the game board provides for one or more players to bet and win on one or more possible outcomes even when one or more winning players decide to place only one bet. The game described here is easy to play for both children and adults and provides players the option of playing against the house or against one another. Additionally, the game board is dynamic in that with accompanying accessory pieces the board provides for a choice of a plurality games to be played using the basic game board. Moreover, the potential winning hands that are printed on the surface of the basic game board may be changed, even from hand to hand if desired. And, furthermore, even the game offered on the basic game board may be changed to a variety of other games by changing the identity of the potential winning hands. The game board is available in a form suitable for use in a professional gambling casino and/or in a form that is more suitable for play on a card table or a picnic table when play is at a players&#39; home. To accommodate the various environments in which the game board is used it is available as a cloth board to be spread over a picnic table, for example, as a hard board, for use in a gaming casino, as a plastic board for use on a boat or at the beach, or as a wooden board. In addition to the variety of materials from which the board is made, it is also available in shaped to fit all gaming needs, such as a round board, octagonal, square, half-circle, and the like. All of these benefits are offered in game boards that are available at moderate cost.  
      All of these game benefits are made possible by providing for a wagering card game, a game board for playing a wagering card game, and a method for playing a wagering card game. The game consists of a game board having a surface that provides for a plurality of identity spaces. Each identity space identifies a potential winning card hand. In addition to the game board, game play requires a deck of cards and at least two die, where each die has a plurality of identity faces, where each identity face identifies a potential winning hand. Play starts by players placing a bet on whichever potential winning hand space they choose, thus, creating pay-off pots, or simply pay-offs. At this time, a predetermined number of cards are dealt to each of the players. Identified potential winning hands that may be bet on and then might be dealt to players include, but are not limited to high-pair, marriage, three of a kind, blackjack, flush or straight, joker, dice, identified pair, small straight, joker/dice and four of a kind (definitions of each of the hands are provided in the definition section). In order for a potential winning hand to become a winning hand, the winning hand must be dealt to one or more players during play. If one or more players are dealt an identified potential winning card hand(s), the hand becomes a winning hand and each player holding a winning hand will win the pay-off for that hand. For example, if a player who has bet on a high-pair potential winning card hand is dealt the highest pair, that player will take that pay-off or if a player who has bet on a marriage potential winning hand is dealt a king and queen, that player will take the related pay-off.  
      When a player is dealt a dice card which, in one favored embodiment is the small joker card, the player receiving the dice card gets to roll the dice in an attempt to win a potential winning card hand. Potential winning hands are identified on the faces of the die that are to be rolled. Potential winning hands that are identified on the faces of the dice include, but are not limited to, a high spade, a high-pair, three of a kind, marriage, straight/flush, and blackjack. If the player rolls the dice so that both dice roll to the same potential winning hand, the player is entitled to win that bet.  
      An important and interesting aspect of this game, is that when a player wins a pay-off, the player may change the identity of any potential game winning hand that is identified on the game board. In order to change the identity of a potential winning hand, the player places an accessory potential winning hand piece over the potential winning hand the player chooses for an identity change. A plurality of potential winning hands accessory pieces are provided with the game board. Some example accessory replacement potential game winning hands include, but are not limited to, accessory pieces identifying potential winning hands of “twenty-one”, “two one-eyed jacks”, “black suit or red suit”, “high hand”, “low hand” and “full house”. When a player is dealt five cards that add up to exactly twenty-one, they have a “twenty-one” winning hand and, thus, are entitled to the pay-off if they placed a bet on the “twenty-one” potential winning hand space. If a player has bet on the pair of jacks that have only one eye on the face of the card and is dealt the pair of one-eyed jacks, they will take the pay-off. Assuming the related bet has been made, to win a “black suit or red suit” hand a player must be dealt five cards that are all of either black or red suits, with the exception of if two players both have five of a suit, the player with five cards of a black suit prevails. To win a potential winning “high hand”, a player must be dealt five cards summing to the highest amount, whereas winning a potential winning “low hand” require being dealt five cards that sum to the lowest sum compared with other players hands. A potential winning “full house” requires a player to be dealt any pair along with any three of a kind.  
      A particularly favored embodiment of the wagering game of the present invention, is the game of “high spade” poker. “High spade” poker is similar to the game as described so far in that is has potential winning hands identified on the game board, although some of the potential winning hands are unique to the game. Not surprising, in “high spade,” the player who is dealt the highest spade wins the high spade potential winning hand pay-off. When two players both have the same high-pair for a game winning hand, in “high spade” it is the player whose pair contains a spade who wins the high-pair pay-off. In addition, where two players are dealt a king and a queen of the same suit, the player who has a queen or king that is a spade wins the marriage winning hand pay-off. If two players are dealt an ace and a black jack, the player with a spade jack will win the black jack winning hand pay-off. Where more than one player is dealt a flush or straight the player with a spade hand wins the flush or straight winning hand pay-off. However, if neither player has a spade or flush or straight, the player with the highest spade in hand, wins. When two players are dealt an identified potential winning pair, the player who has a spade will win the pay-off. In addition, the identified pair winner will select the next pair of cards that will serve as the game winning identified pair. Where more than one player is dealt a small straight, the player with a spade straight will win the small straight winning hand pay-off. However, if there is no spade small straight, then the player with the higher small straight will win the small straight winning hand pay-off.  
      Furthermore, the game of the present invention offers players the chance to make “side-bets” in addition to the regular bets made on identified potential winning hands on the game board as described above. In order for players to use the side-bet option, all players must, prior to the cards being dealt, agree on a number card from two through nine and relate this number to one or all of the side-bet suits of clubs, diamonds, and/or hearts. Once the number and suit are chosen, an accessory game piece indicating the number and the suit as a designated “side-bet” is affixed to the designated side-bet spaces on the game board. At this time, player have the option to place a bet on any of the designated side-bets in addition to placing bets on one or more potential winning hand identifying spaces. The players dealt a card identified as a side-bet card, will win the pay-off(s) assuming that the player with the winning side-bet card made a side-bet wager. The winning player has the option of changing the identity of the side-bet.  
      In order to accommodate players with widely differing ideas on the amount or kind of bet should be bet on each hand, the game according to the principles of the present invention is available with bet markers. Bet markers denote various bets. If it is decided that the bets are to be monetary bets, the bet markers are marked for varying amounts of money, such as either five cents or five dollars. A marker indicating a desired bet is placed on each of the potential winning hands identified on each of the identity spaces. This would inform all players as to the minimum bet that may be placed on that potential winning hand. As mentioned, the bets may not be of monetary value. They could be for markers, candy, or any other desired betting medium.  
      The wagering game board of the present invention is available made of various materials, such as being imprinted on cloth material to be draped over a table or other surface. The game board is also available in more rigid materials, such as hard board, card board, plastic, and wood. Regardless of the material from which the board is made, the board is available in forms that may be folded for easy transport and storage. The shape of the board is also tailored to the needs of the game players. For use in more professional settings the board is available in half-rounds for players who prefer to play against the house. Other professional-type boards are available in the hexagonal or octagonal shapes that are popular for use on game tables. Such shapes can comfortably seat up to eight persons about a game table.  
      Still other benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification and related drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In order that these and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be more fully comprehended and appreciated, the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in appended drawings wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures. It should be understood that these drawings only depict preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting in scope, thus, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
       FIG. 1   a  is an overhead plan view illustrating a game board of this invention, where the board&#39;s playing surface has a plurality of blank identity spaces that are to be used for identifying desired potential winning card hands.  
       FIG. 1   b  is an overhead plan view illustrating playing cards that are to be used in conjunction with the wagering card game board of this invention.  
       FIG. 1   c  is an overhead plan view illustrating a pair of dice where the dice faces are used as identity faces for identifying desired potential winning card hands.  
       FIG. 2  is an overhead plan view illustrating the playing surface of a game board where the plurality of blank identity spaces for identifying desired potential winning card hands, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , are identifying potential winning hands of the game High Spades Poker.  
       FIG. 3  is an overhead plan view of a wagering game board playing surface illustrating standard potential winning poker card hands identified on the board&#39;s identity spaces with accessory potential winning card hand markers ready to be placed over some of the identity spaces to change their identity from one round of play to another, as desired.  
       FIG. 4  is another view of a game board similar to the game board as shown in  FIG. 3 , where accessory betting value markers are ready to be placed on each identified winning hand to indicate to players the minimum value of the bet for that particular round of play, as desired.  
       FIG. 5   a  is a top plan view of a wagering card game board available in a professional gaming table semicircle shaped form.  
       FIG. 5   b  is a top plan view of a wagering card game board available in an octagonal form to be used on professional gaming tables.  
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a wagering card game board in circular form.  
       FIG. 7   a  is a plan view of a wagering card game board of the present invention depicting the game board made of a flexible material providing for the board to be rolled for convenient transport and/or storage.  
       FIG. 7   b  is a perspective view of the flexible game board as shown in  FIG. 7   a  depicting the game partially rolled.  
       FIG. 7   c  is a perspective view of the flexible game board as shown in  FIG. 7   a  depicting the game rolled for convenient transport and/or storage.  
       FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  are views of a foldable octagonal game board in various stages of being folded, illustrating the optional use of hinges for folding.  
       FIGS. 8   d  is a view of a foldable circular game board illustrating the optional use of hinges for ease of folding.  
       FIGS. 8   a - 8   e  are views of a foldable rectangularly shaped games board illustrating the optional use of hinges for ease of folding.  
       FIGS. 9   a - 9   c  are views of a travel-sturdy game board and box,  FIG. 9   a  illustrating a game board;  FIG. 9   b  illustrating a box for holding a game board while traveling; and  FIG. 9   c  illustrating a game board positioned in a box.  
       FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  are views of a cloth game board and box,  FIG. 10   a  illustrating cloth game board just before placement on a sturdy surface, and  FIG. 10   b  illustrating cloth game board folded for transport and/or storage.  
    
    
     A LIST OF THE REFERENCE NUMBERS AND PARTS OF THE INVENTION TO WHICH NUMBERS REFERENCE NUMERALS AND THE PARTS TO WHICH THEY REFER  
     
         
           2  One of the plurality of blank potential winning card hands identity spaces on the playing surface of a wagering game board according to the principle of the present invention, each of which is to be used to designate a desired potential winning card hand.  
           4  Playing cards used to play a wagering card game in conjunction with wagering card game board  10 .  
           6  A pair dice having identity faces for identifying desired potential winning card hands.  
           6   a  identity face for identifying desired potential winning card hands.  
           6   b  identity face for identifying desired potential winning card hands.  
           10  A wagering card game board with blank potential winning card hand identity spaces.  
           20  A wagering card game board where the blank identity spaces for identifying desired potential winning card hands are now identifying potential winning hands of the game High Spades Poker.  
           22  One identity space identifying a potential winning hand that is used in playing the game High Spades Poker.  
           24  One identity space identifying a potential side-bet winning card hand.  
           25  A wagering game board playing surface illustrating standard potential winning poker card hands identified on the board&#39;s identity spaces.  
           30   a - 30   c  Accessory desired potential winning hand markers for changing the identity of potential winning card hands.  
           40   a - 40   c  Accessory betting value markers for placement on identified winning hands to indicate to players the minimum value of the bet for that particular round of play, as desired.  
           50   a  A wagering card game board in the professional gaming table semicircle shaped form.  
           50   b  A wagering card game board in a professional gaming table octagonal form.  
           60  A wagering card game board in circular form.  
           70   a  A game board made of a flexible material providing for the board to be rolled for convenient transport and/or storage  
           70   b  A partially rolled game board made of a flexible material.  
           70   c  A fully rolled game board made of a flexible material.  
           80   a  An octagonal game board illustrating hinges that may be attached to the board for folding.  
           80   b  An octagonal game board folded in half.  
           80   c  An octagonal game folded in quarters.  
           80   d  A foldable circular game board illustrating the hinges that may be attached to the board for ease of folding.  
           80   e  A foldable rectangularly shaped game board illustrating the hinges that may be attached to the board for ease of folding.  
           84  Hinge.  
           90   a  A rectangularly shaped game board that may be positioned within travel box  90   b  for ease of play while traveling.  
           90   b  A rectangularly shaped travel box into which rectangularly shaped game board  90   a  may be positioned for ease of play while traveling.  
           90   c  Rectangularly shaped game board  90   a  positioned in rectangularly shaped travel box  90   b  for ease of play while traveling.  
           96  Raised lip on game board box  90   b.    
           100   a  A cloth game board ready for placement on a sturdy surface.  
           100   b  Cloth game board  100   a  folded for transport and/or storage. 
 
 Definitions—General 
 
          Accessory desired potential winning hand marker, as used herein, refers to potential winning card hand accessory identifiers that may be used to change the identity of an existing potential winning card hand identified on an identity space. For example, if the basic game board is printed with a pair as a potential winning card hand, the accessory identifier, which may constitute swatches of plastic, cloth, wood, etc., may limit the potential winning card hand to a pair of nines, for example. Accessory desired potential winning hand markers are available in most any desired potential winning card hand.  
          Bet markers, as used herein, refers to markers denoting various betting amounts, from five cents to five dollars for example. One marker of a designated and desired betting value is placed on each potential winning hand to indicate the minimum value bet that must be made by each player on that winning hand. The bets denoted do not have to be for money; they may be for chips, coupons, or any other desired betting medium.  
          Dice, as used herein, refers to a pair of dice with a plurality of faces wherein each face identifies a desired potential winning hand.  
          Game Board, as used herein, refers to a game board having a playing surface, where the board may be made of hardboard, wood, plastic, rubber, cloth, felt, or any other material.  
          Identity space, as used herein, refers to any section on the game board which identifies a potential winning hand, such as a pair, three of kind, flush, marriage, full house, and the like.  
          Joker, as used herein, refers to a card that usually pictures a jester and is frequently used as a wild card which may be used to substitute for any card the holder wishes. If desired, several cards may be designated as wild—for example all the twos. This must be agreed in advance.  
          Pair side-bets, as used herein, refers to an optional side-bet that players may make in addition to the bet(s) made on a potential winning hand, wherein players determine at the beginning of the game which pair of cards ranging from 2 to Ace will be considered to be the designated winning pair. A pair side-bet is determined by placing an accessory winning hand pair side-bet marker on the game board in the designated pair identity space located on the game board, the marker contains the chosen pair&#39;s number. Where a player has the pair of cards in his hand that was designated as the side-bet pair at the start of the game, and bets were placed on that side-bet, they will receive the pot for that side-bet.  
          Potential winning hand, as used herein, refers to any combination of playing cards that is designated on the game board identity space or on a die identity face as a potential winning hand. A player who draws the cards that match any one, or more, of the potential winning hands is entitled to the corresponding bet or bets that have been placed on the board.  
          Small straight, as used herein, refers to a straight comprising three consecutive cards of the same suit.  
          Side-bet, as used herein, refers to one or more optional side-bets that players may make in addition to betting on a potential game winning hand, wherein players may determine at the beginning of the game which number from 2 to 9 will be a winner for any or all of the three suits, diamonds, clubs and hearts.  
          Wagering card game, as used herein, refers to card games in which betting or wagering in involved. 
 
 Definitions—Specific for Poker Card Games 
 
          Poker uses a standard pack of playing cards, 52 cards (there are some poker games that uses more or less depending on the variations such as adding wild cards like jokers). The card ranking is as follows Ace (the highest), King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 (the lowest), Ace (this may also be the lowest card depending on the variations you are using, but it is usually the highest). There are four suits (spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs). No suit is higher than another, unless the game is High Spades Poker. The number of cards dealt is dependant on the type of game being played: if playing five card stud, five cards are dealt. For seven card stud, seven cards are dealt. Five card draw, considered the standard poker game, deals five cards face down to each player.  
          Five of a Kind—a five of a kind is possible only when using wild cards and is the highest possible hand. If more than one hand has five of a kind, the higher card set wins, five aces will beat five kings, which will beat five queens, and continues on by the ranking of the cards.  
          Straight Flush—a straight flush is the best natural hand. A straight flush is a straight with five cards in order that are of the same suit. As in a regular straight, you can have an ace either high or low. An ace high straight-flush is called a royal flush and is the highest natural hand.  
          Four of a Kind—four cards of the same rank, such as four aces or four kings. If there are two or more hands that qualify, the hand with the higher-rank four of a kind wins.  
          Full House—a full house is a three of a kind and a pair. When there are two full houses the tie is broken by the three of a kind. If for some reason the three of a kind cannot determine the winning hand then go to the pair to decide (this would only happen in a game with wild cards).  
          Flush-A flush is a hand where all of the cards are the same suit, such as A-J-9-7-5, all of diamonds. When flushes tie, follow the rules for high card.  
          Straight-Five—five cards in rank order but not of the same suit (it can be any combination of the four suits). An example of a straight is 2-3-4-5-6. The ace can either be high or low card. When two straights tie, the highest straight wins. If two straights have the same value, the pot is split.  
          Three of a Kind—three cards of any rank, with the remaining cards not being a pair, the highest ranking three of a kind would win. If both are the same rank (could happen only in a wild card game), then the high card rule comes into effect with the remaining two.  
          Two Pair-Two distinct pairs of cards and a 5th card—the highest ranking pair wins ties. If both hands have the same high-pair, the second pair wins. If both hands have the same pairs, the high card wins.  
          Pair-One pair with three distinct cards—highest ranking pair wins. High card breaks ties.  
          High Card—when a hand doesn&#39;t have a pair, then it comes down to who is holding the highest ranking card. If there is a tie for the high card then the next high card determines the pot, if that card is a tie than it continues down till the third, fourth, and fifth card. The high card is also used to break ties when the high hands both have the same type of hand (pair, flush, straight, etc).  
       
    
      It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Referring now, with more particularity, to the drawings, it should be noted that the disclosed invention is disposed to embodiments in various sizes, shapes, and forms. Therefore, the embodiments described herein are provided with the understanding that the present disclosure is intended as illustrative and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments described herein.  
      The present invention is directed towards a wagering game played with cards, dice, and a game board where one or more players may bet and win on one or more possible outcomes. The game described here is easy to play for both children and adults and provides players the option of playing against the house or against one another. Additionally, the game board is dynamic in that with accompanying accessory pieces the board provides for a choice of a plurality games to be played using the basic game board. Potential winning hands, identified on the surface of the basic game board, may be changed, even from hand to hand if desired. The game of the basic game board may be changed to a variety of other games by changing the identity of the potential winning hands. The game board is available in a form suitable for use in a professional gambling casino and/or in a form that is more suitable for play on a card table or a picnic table when play is at a players&#39; home. To accommodate the various environments in which the game board is used the game board is available as a board printed on cloth so the conveniently folded and easily transported board may be spread packed in a picnic basket to be spread over a picnic table. The game board is also available a hard board game board, for use at home or in a gaming casino, as a plastic board for use on a boat or at the beach, or as a wooden board. In addition to the variety of materials from which the board is made, the game board is also available shaped to fit many gaming needs, such as a round board, octagonal, hexagonal, square, rectangular, half-circle, and the like. All of these benefits are offered as game boards that are available at moderate cost.  
      Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1   a , an overhead plan view, illustrates wagering card game board with blank potential winning card hand identity spaces  10 . The plurality of blank identity spaces are to be used for identifying desired potential winning card hands. For example, blank potential winning card hands identity spaces  2  is to be used to designate a desired potential winning card hand, such as the diamond side-bet potential winning card hand that is illustrated on  FIG. 2 . The wagering game board of the present invention is used in conjunction with playing cards  4  as illustrated in  FIG. 1   b  and with a pair dice  6 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1   c , having identity faces for identifying desired potential winning card hands  6   a  and  6   b.  The identity faces of the dice may identify potential winning card hands on each face, where the potential winning card hands identified may include a high-pair, three of a kind, marriage, straight/flush, or blackjack. Wagering game board  10  is illustrated as rectangular in shape, although as will be discussed and shown, the game board can take many different shapes. In addition, although this game board illustrates fourteen blank identity spaces for identifying desired potential winning card hands, the game board can contain any desired number of identity spaces.  
       FIG. 2 , an overhead plan view, illustrates a playing surface of wagering game board  20  where the plurality of blank identity spaces for identifying desired potential winning card hands, as illustrated in  FIG. 1   a , have arbitrarily been filled in with the identity of potential winning hands according to the game High Spades Poker. Identity space  22  identifies a potential winning hand that is used in playing the game High Spades Poker, that is, the player holding a pair that contains a spade card is entitled to win the bet assuming that the player has placed a bet on the “any pair” potential winning hand identity space. Identity space  24  identifies a potential side-bet winning card hand. Side-bets are optional bets that players may make in addition to betting on one or more potential game winning hands. The identity of the three side-bets are determined before play starts and are chosen from the number 2 through 9 for each of the three side-bet suits, diamonds, clubs and hearts. It is to be understood that the order and/or arrangement of the potential winning card hands identity spaces on the game board does not effect how the game is played.  
       FIG. 3 , an overhead plan view, illustrates wagering game board  25  with a playing surface having standard potential winning poker card hands identified on the board&#39;s identity spaces. Of the many games that can be played on this game board, standard poker is one of the preferred embodiment games. Play begins by the players first designating a dealer. To be entitled to win a potential winning hand a player must place a bet on that potential winning. If a player desires, he or she may place a bet on one, several, or all of the potential winning card hands identified on the identity spaces. Once all bets are placed, the dealer deals each of the players a predetermined number of cards, where the number of cards dealt depends on the game being play. If any player or players are dealt cards matching one or more of the identified potential winning card hands on which they have placed a bet, they are entitled to that bet. The potential game winning hands present in a general poker game include, but are not limited to, a high-pair, marriage, three of a kind, blackjack, flush or straight, joker, dice, identified pair, small straight, joker/dice, and four of a kind. For example, the player who is dealt the highest pair of cards is entitled to win that bet, assuming that the player bet on the highest pair. If a player has bet on and is dealt the dice card (which in this game is designated as the small joker card) that player is eligible to roll the dice. If both dice roll to present the same potential winning card hand, the player is entitled to the bets placed on that potential winning hand identity space. The dice identity faces may identify a high-pair, three of a kind, marriage, straight/flush, and blackjack, for example. If a player, who has bet on the joker hand, is dealt both a large and small joker card, he or she is entitled to win the bets on the joker identity space and also to roll the die in the attempt to win another game winning hand that comes up on the dice.  
       FIG. 3  also illustrates accessory potential winning card hand markers  30   a  - 30   c  ready to be placed over some of the identity spaces for changing the identity of the potential winning card hands identified on the identity spaces. Such accessory pieces are made of a material that provides good coverage, such as felt material that is not apt to wrinkle or slip. If desired, the accessory pieces may be limited to simply designating a particular suit. For example, if the potential winning hand is a marriage, that is where any king and queen are sufficient for winning that potential winning hand bet, an accessory piece may be added to the identity space so that the identity of the potential winning hand is changed to a marriage of hearts, only. Alternatively, the potential winning pair hand could be changed to a particular winning pair hand, if for example, a number nine were added to the pair hand space.  
       FIG. 4 , an overhead plan view, of game board  25  similar to the game board as shown in  FIG. 3 , illustrating the use of accessory markers as betting value indicators. In  FIG. 4  three indicators  40   a - 40   c  are each shown positioned for placement on an identified winning hand to indicate to players the minimum value of the bet for that particular round of play, as desired.  
       FIG. 5   a , a top plan view, illustrates wagering card game board  50   a  available as a professional semicircle gaming board.  FIG. 5   b , a top plan view, illustrates wagering card game board  50   b , available in an octagonal form to be used on professional gaming tables.  
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a wagering card game board  60  available in circular form.  
       FIG. 7   a , a plan view, illustrates wagering card game board made of a flexible material  70   a  providing for the board to be rolled for convenient transport and/or storage.  FIG. 7   b  depicts the game board in a partially rolled configuration  70   b  and in  FIG. 7   c  the game board is shown completely rolled  70   c  for convenient transport and/or storage.  
      Some preferred embodiments have the game board made from a rigid material that is not amended to being rolled. For more convenient transport and/or storage, such games board may be folded. Some models, such as most cardboard game boards currently available, may be folded along fold lines that are lines where the board is made with less material so it is thinner along the folding line.  FIGS. 8   a - 8   c  illustrate another folding method, one that may desirable when the game board is made of a heavier duty material such as a hard board, a plastic, or wood. In such cases, the use of hinges may be desirable to both ease the folding and to assure that the pieces to be folded maintain their positionable integrity with respect to one another. In the Figures the hinges are shown positioned on the playing side of the board. This is not required and may just as easily be positioned on the opposite side of the board. Octagonal game board  80   a  with folding hinges  84  is illustrated in  FIG. 8   a.    FIG. 8   b  illustrates octagonal game board folded in half  80   b  whereas  FIG. 8   c  illustrates the octagonal game folded in quarters  80   c.  The fold ability of the game board is not affected by the shape of the board.  FIG. 8   d  illustrates foldable circular game board  80   d  and  FIG. 8   e  illustrating foldable rectangularly shaped game board  80   e.    
       FIG. 9   a  illustrates game board  90   a  that would be more amendable for use while traveling if it were positioned in a travel-sturdy game board box, such as travel-sturdy box  90   b  illustrated in  FIG. 9   b.    FIG. 9   c  illustrates a game board of this invention positioned in a travel-sturdy box  90   c.  Thus, it may be appreciated that with protective sides  96  of the travel-sturdy box a game may be played without fear of bets, dice, or cards placed on the board falling off of the board if the traveling vehicle should be exposed to rough travel.  
      For those who do not have a specific game playing table or surface, easily folded and transported cloth game board  100   a  will be much appreciated.  FIG. 10   a  illustrating cloth game board  100   a  ready for placement on a rigid surface, and  FIG. 10   b  illustrating cloth game board  100   b  folded for transport and/or storage in a small accessory game bag.  
      The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, uses specific and defined nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing description of the specific embodiment is presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made to the features, embodiments, and methods of making the embodiments of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the described methods, embodiments, features or combinations of features but include all the variation, methods, modifications, and combinations of features within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is limited only by the claims.