Patent Publication Number: US-6042118-A

Title: Method of playing a poker-type game

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to playing card wagering games and more specifically it relates to a method of playing a poker-type game wherein the game provides the players an opportunity to increase the amount wagered based upon two of three community cards shown. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Poker-type card games have been around for years. Typically, these games provide each player the necessary cards for a winning hand. However, no game has disclosed utilizing three community cards in combination with each of the players&#39; two cards received. 
     Examples of poker-type card games include U.S. Patent No. 5,167,413 to Stanley; U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,257 to Stanley; and U.S. Patent No. 5,288,081 to Breeding which are all illustrative of such prior art. 
     Stanley (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,167,413 and 5,411,257) discloses a method of playing a poker-type game and apparatus therefor. Stanley teaches providing each player five cards of which a certain number are face up with at least one face down. The players are each allowed to place additional bets (double-down) based upon the face up cards and what they `guess` the face down card(s) will be. However, Stanley does not disclose a method of playing a poker-type game wherein three community cards are utilized with two of the community cards face up and two cards dealt face down to each player. 
     Breeding (U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,081) discloses a method of playing a wagering game that involves each player placing a three-part bet. Two cards are dealt to the dealer face down and three cards to each player face down. Based upon only the disclosure of the three cards each player has, the player determines whether to retain the three-part bet or withdraw one part of the three-part bet. The dealer then turns one of the two community cards face up, and each player then determines whether to withdraw one part of their remaining bet based upon the new face up community card. However, Breeding does not disclose a method of playing a poker-type game wherein three community cards are utilized with two of the community cards dealt face up and two cards dealt face down to each player. 
     In these respects, the method of playing a poker-type game according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts of the prior art, and in so doing provides a method of playing a poker-type game wherein the game provides the players an opportunity to increase the amount wagered based upon two of three community cards shown. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object to provide a method of playing a poker-type game that is exciting and interesting to play. 
     An additional object is to provide a method of playing a poker-type game that is easy to learn, largely being based upon five-card poker. 
     A further object is to provide a method of playing a poker-type game that allows players to increase the amount wagered based upon two of three community cards shown. 
     Another object is to provide a method of playing a poker-type game that is easy to learn, yet demands skill of players in making strategic decisions about whether to double-down or not. 
     Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 depicts the table layout used in playing the wagering game of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing the flow of play in the game. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several view, FIGS. 1 through 2 illustrate a method of playing a poker-type game. Referring specifically to FIG. 1, the present invention utilizes a typical casino game table 10. The table has a curved side 12 for accommodating up to seven players and a straight side 14 for accommodating a dealer. The game table 10 has a flat surface 16 covered with felt or other appropriate material. Although seven playing positions for individual players are provided, it is not essential to the game that exactly seven individuals play and as many players who can fit around the game may participate. 
     A chip tray 18 is positioned in front of the dealer. An area in front of the chip tray 18 receives the community cards 18. Each of the playing positions includes a betting area 30 and an area to position the player cards 50. There is preferably at least one payout schedule 40 that discloses to the players the winning card combinations and the appropriate payouts. 
     Referring to the flow diagram of FIG. 2, the initial step in playing the game of the present invention is preparing or shuffling a deck of cards by a shuffling machine or by hand-shuffling to provide a shuffled deck. The deck of cards is preferably a standard 52-card deck with one joker to make 53 cards. The joker is utilized as a &#34;wild card&#34; only in specified winning combinations such as five aces, flushes and straights. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various combinations of decks may be utilized for the present invention. 
     After each player places an initial bet in the betting area 30, two player cards 50 are dealt face down to each player and three &#34;community cards&#34; 20 are dealt face down to the dealer. Each player may examine their own player cards 50, but not any of the other player cards 50 of other players. The dealer then turns over two of the three community cards 20 so that they are facing up. The dealer then asks each player whether they want to &#34;double-down&#34; based upon their initial bet. Each player makes the decision on the basis of their own player cards 50 and the two face up community cards 20. 
     After each player has been questioned and has decided whether to double-down, the dealer then turns over the remaining face down community card 20. Now, each player has a five-card hand comprised of the two player cards 50 each player was originally dealt plus the three revealed community cards 20. 
     The dealer shows each individual player&#39;s player cards 50 and resolves each player&#39;s bet based upon the five-card hand and determines the payout, if any, based upon the payout schedule 40 at the particular game table 10 or casino. The dealer or house collects bets on non-winning hands. The hand is then over and the flow of the game returns to preparing and shuffling the deck for a new hand. 
     A typical pay schedule 40 would be as follows: 
     
         ______________________________________                                    
Four Aces with Joker   1000-1                                             
  Royal Flush                                     500-1                   
  Royal Flush with Joker                          250-1                   
  Straight Flush                                  200-1                   
  Straight Flush with Joker                       100-1                   
  Four of a Kind                                  50-1                    
  Four of a Kind with Joker                       25-1                    
  Full House                                      11-1                    
  Full House with Joker                            9-1                    
  Flush                                            8-1                    
  Flush with Joker                                7-1                     
  Straight                                        5-1                     
  Straight with Joker                             4-1                     
  Three of a Kind                                  3-1                    
  Two Pairs                                       2-1                     
  Pair of 10&#39;s, Queens, Kings or Aces             1-1 (even money)        
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     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.