Patent Publication Number: US-2005127608-A1

Title: Card game and method of playing

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE  
      This application claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/526,344, filed on Dec. 1, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
      Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a card-type game. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to the game and methods and systems for playing a card-type game in conjunction with wagering. It is to be appreciated, however, that the method of playing a card game may find further applications in areas outside of the wagering arena.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Oftentimes, to non-initiated players, casino games such as roulette can be intimidating. For example, roulette incorporates many alternate ways of wagering and these wagering alternatives can confuse non-initiated players. Therefore, players unfamiliar with roulette and other casino games may hesitate to play. Consequently, there is a need for a casino-style game that provides easily understood wagering principles while, at the same time, provides the excitement associated with other casino games. Also, providing a casino-style game in a format or using a media that is likely already familiar to a player is desirable.  
      Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional, traditional, and proposed approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems and methods with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of playing a card game. The method comprises providing at least one deck of playing cards and shuffling the deck such that the playing cards are put into a substantially unknown random order. The game and method may further comprise placing at least one wager by betting a monetary amount and attempting to correctly guess a number of points that will be totaled during a current round of play. The method further includes dealing each of the playing cards in an arrangement and revealing a face of each of the playing cards. The cards or representation of cards may be dealt or displayed in an arrangement whereby the cards are adjacent one another and revealing a face of each of the playing cards. The game and method may also comprise totaling a number of points associated with the dealt playing cards based on at least a number of revealed sums of a target number within said arrangement. The method also includes paying any winning wager according to the monetary amount bet and odds associated with the winning wager.  
      An embodiment of the present invention provides a processor-based system for implementing a virtual card game. The processor-based system comprises at least one processor to execute playing of the virtual card game, and wherein the playing of the virtual card game comprises the steps of providing at least one virtual deck of playing cards, electronically shuffling the at least one virtual deck of playing cards such that the playing cards are put into a substantially unknown random order, electronically placing at least one wager and attempting to correctly guess a number of points that will be totaled during a current round of play. Representations of cards may be electronically dealt, such that the playing cards are positioned in an arrangement and revealing a face of each of the playing cards. Based upon the revealed cards, the game electronically totals a number of points associated with the dealt playing cards based on at least a number of revealed sums of a target number within said arrangement, and electronically pays any winning wager according to the monetary amount bet and odds associated with the winning wager. The system may further comprise a program memory interfacing to the at least one processor to store software associated with the virtual card game and a user interface connecting to the at least one processor to allow a player of the virtual card game to select various functional inputs of the virtual card game. The system may further comprise an image memory interfacing to the at least one processor to store image data of the virtual card game to be displayed. The system may also include a display controller interfacing to the image memory to extract image data from the image memory in a controlled manner and to convert the image data to video data. A display interfacing to the display controller may accept the video data from the display controller such that the video data is presented to the player on the display.  
      Alternative embodiments may implement the game and method in an instant lottery ticket game format, wherein representations of cards are selectively revealed. Such representations may typically be masked or covered in some way, and subsequently selectively revealed to play the game. In such an embodiment, the wager placed on the game could also be selected by the player, or the odds of winning chosen by a player, as a part of playing the game, or such variables may be set by the game distributor, as desired. The placing of a wager by the player may simply comprise buying the lottery ticket.  
      These and other advantages and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary flowchart of an embodiment of a method of playing a card game, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a playing surface layout to accommodate betting for a non-virtual version of the method of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a processor-based system for implementing a virtual card game using the method of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user interface image displayed by the processor-based system of  FIG. 3  showing an arrangement of dealt cards face down, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of an image displayed by the processor-based system of  FIG. 3  after a current round of play, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 6  illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of an image displayed by the processor-based system of  FIG. 3  after a current round of play, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 7  illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of an image displayed by the processor-based system of  FIG. 3  after a current round of play, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates a fourth exemplary embodiment of an image displayed by the processor-based system of  FIG. 3  after a current round of play, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
       FIG. 9  illustrates a fifth exemplary embodiment of an image displayed by the processor-based system of  FIG. 3  after a current round of play, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      As used herein, various terms are used, but are not intended to be limiting in terms of the meaning thereof, with the concepts according to the invention being implemented in any of a variety of ways. For example, the term “playing cards” shall mean actual playing cards or any other representation of playing cards, whether electronically, printed or otherwise.  
      As used herein, the term “shuffling” shall mean any physical or other representation or step of mixing playing cards in a normal random fashion, whether electronically or otherwise.  
      As used herein, the term “dealing or dealt” shall mean any physical or other representation or step of disposing the cards into a desired format to be revealed and/or displaying the playing cards or representations, whether electronically or otherwise.  
      As used herein, the term “wagering or placing at least one wager” shall mean any physical or other representation or step of placing monetary or psuedo-monetary bets in a normal gambling sense, whether electronically or otherwise. It should also be understood that no wagering is necessary to play or enjoy the game as described according to embodiments herein.  
      As used herein, the term “paying” shall mean any physical or other representation or step of paying on a monetary or psuedo-monetary bet in a normal gambling sense, whether electronically or otherwise. It should again be understood that no payment is necessary to play or enjoy the game as described according to embodiments herein.  
      As used herein, the term “cutting” shall mean any physical or other representation or step of reordering playing cards in a normal random fashion, whether electronically or otherwise. It should also be understood that the cutting of the deck of cards may be unnecessary as the cards could be suitably randomized by shuffling alone.  
       FIG. 1  is an exemplary flowchart  100  of an embodiment of a method of playing a card game, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. In step  110 , at least one deck of playing cards is provided. In step  120 , the at least one deck of playing cards is shuffled such that the playing cards are put into a substantially unknown random order. In step  130 , at least one wager is placed by betting a monetary amount and attempting to correctly guess a number of points that will be totaled during a current round of play. In step  140 , each of the playing cards are dealt in an arrangement and a face of each of the playing cards is revealed. In step  150 , a number of points associated with the dealt playing cards is totaled based on at least a number of revealed sums of a target number within the arrangement. In step  160 , any winning wager is paid according to the monetary amount bet and odds associated with the winning wager.  
      It should also be understood that although standard cards may be used, other non-standard decks may be used as well, in accordance with various alternative embodiments of the present invention. Further, the number of boxes on the playing surface to deal the cards into may be other than fifty-two. Also, multiple decks of playing cards may be used, in accordance with various alternative embodiments of the present invention. Further, the cards may be dealt in some other arrangement such as, for example, the Klondike manner associated with the game of solitaire.  
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a playing surface layout  200  to accommodate betting for a non-virtual version of the method  100  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The playing surface  200  may be in the form of a casino table or a board game, for example. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the dealing circle  230  is equipped with fifty-two boxes, generally indicated by the numeral  240 . The dealer fills each of the boxes  240  with a playing card until all fifty-two playing cards of a standard deck have been dealt. As discussed herein below, to facilitate point variation, there may be a specific starting point and ending point for the dealing of the playing cards. For example, the dealer can begin dealing at starting box  250 , and may deal the playing cards in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction around the dealing circle  230 . The dealer may first deal all cards face down around the circle and then reveal the dealt cards one at a time going around the circle, or the dealer may simply deal each card around the circle face up directly from the start. The circular type of dealing arrangement as shown provides a unique display of the cards or representations. As each card may be dealt consecutively, the circular type of layout enables easy viewing and anticipation in a player as the cards are dealt. Any winning combinations are easily identified as the cards are dealt, as well as positions of bonus points and the like. The circular type of configuration also is an aesthetically pleasing arrangement, particularly as the cards are being dealt in the configuration as shown, in that the cards overlap one another slightly, but reveal the face values sufficiently to view the cards easily.  
      Other non-standard decks may be used as well, in accordance with various alternative embodiments of the present invention, in which case the number of boxes on the playing surface to deal the cards into may be other than fifty-two. Also, multiple decks of playing cards may be used, in accordance with various alternative embodiments of the present invention. Further, the cards may be dealt in some other arrangement such as, for example, the Klondike manner associated with the game of solitaire.  
      Referring to  FIG. 2 , players may place bets (i.e., wagers) by positioning chips in any of the boxes  221 - 227 , typically before the cards are dealt. Placing chips in the box  221  indicates that a player is betting that the total accrued points for the current round of play will be one. Placing chips in the box  227  indicates that a player is betting that the total accrued points for the current round of play will be seven. The boxes  222 - 226  correspond to bets corresponding to total accrued points of two through six. The layout  200  of  FIG. 2  accommodates players on multiple sides of the betting circle  230 . Other betting layout arrangements are possible as well, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.  
      During a round of play, after all bets are placed and the cards have been dealt in a consecutive arrangement and the faces of the cards are revealed, the resultant total number of points are accrued and compared to the bets (i.e., wagers). In step  150  of  FIG. 1 , the number of points accrued during the round is totaled and a determination is made if the player has won the wager placed on the round. The number of points accrued during a round depends on the number of revealed sums of a target number present during the specific deal of the cards.  
      Target numbers may range from two to twenty, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, a target number of twelve may be designated (i.e., predetermined). Each of the playing cards is assigned a face value. For example, an Ace is assigned a value of one, a seven is assigned a value of seven, a ten is assigned a value of ten, and all of the face cards (i.e., Jack, Queen, King) are assigned a value of ten. Points are typically awarded when the combined face values of any two consecutive playing cards placed around the dealing circle  230  sum to twelve, the target number. That is, for every combination of two consecutive playing cards around the dealing circle  230  that sum to the target number, a point is awarded or accrued. However, in accordance with alternative embodiments of the present invention, other numbers of consecutive playing cards may be summed instead of two such as, for example, three consecutive playing cards, or four consecutive playing cards.  
      For example, if consecutively dealt playing cards are a ten, a two, and a Queen, the player is credited with two points because the ten and the two sum to the target number twelve, and the two and the Queen also sum to the target number twelve.  
      In addition, if consecutively dealt playing cards are, for example, a seven, a five, a nine, and a three, the player is credited with two points. When summed, the seven and the five achieve the target number and the nine and the three achieve the target number. As another example, if consecutively dealt playing cards are a six, another six, a three, a four, a seven, and a nine, then only one combination of the target number twelve appears and, therefore, the player is awarded only one point.  
      To facilitate point variation, bonus points may be awarded in various ways. For example, the starting box  250  and the boxes  251  and  252  on either side of the starting box  250  may be highlighted. Bonus points may be awarded when the combination of playing cards placed in the starting box  250  and the box  251  and/or the combination of playing cards placed in the starting box  250  and the box  252  sum to the target number. For example, when the dealer is dealing in a counter-clockwise direction, the first playing card dealt is placed in the starting box  250  and the second playing card dealt is placed in the box  251 . If the combination of the two playing cards respectively positioned in the starting box  250  and the box  251  sum to the target number, a bonus point may be added to the total number of points accrued. Furthermore, if during the round the combination of the first playing card placed in starting box  250  and the last playing card placed in the box  252  sum to the target number, another bonus point may be added to the total number of points accrued.  
      Additionally, if during a round the first two playing cards dealt sum to the target number, and the first playing card and the last playing card sum to the target number, another bonus point (in addition to the two bonus points already awarded) may be added to the total number of points accrued, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Other variations can allow other methods of accruing points and bonus points as well, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.  
      Additionally, as one ordinarily skilled in the art can appreciate, and it is contemplated that the method of play described herein may be adapted to a computerized format (i.e., a processor-based system) including, but not limited to, the Internet and servers, personal computers, and video games (e.g., a handheld device or a video kiosk system, similar to a video poker system for example). It is further contemplated that the method of play described herein may be adapted to a mechanical apparatus including, but not limited to, a slot machine-type apparatus.  
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a processor-based system  300  for implementing a virtual card game using the method  100  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The system  300  comprises a processor  310 , a program memory  320  storing virtual card game software  325 , a user interface  330 , an image memory  340 , a display controller  350 , and a display  360 .  
      The processor  310  interfaces to the program memory  300  and executes the virtual card game software  325 . The user interface  330  connects to the processor  310  to allow a player of the virtual card game to select various functional inputs of the virtual card game. The image memory  340  interfaces to the processor  310  to store image data to be displayed. The display controller  350  interfaces to the image memory  340  to extract image data from the image memory in a controlled manner and convert the image data to video data. The display  360  interfaces to the display controller  350  to accept video data from the display controller  350  such that the video data is presented to a player on the display  360 .  
      The virtual card game software  325  is the executable program to run the virtual card game. The user interface  330  may comprise, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch-screen (i.e., the user interface  330  is combined with the display  360 ), or push buttons. The functional inputs controlled through the user interface  330  include, for example, an ability to select a monetary amount per wager, an ability to select at least one guessed number of points for wagering, and an ability to select that a virtual deck of playing cards be shuffled and/or cut and dealt.  
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a user interface image  400  displayed by the processor-based system  300  of  FIG. 3  showing an arrangement of dealt cards  410  face down, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The arrangement  410  may be a substantially circular arrangement of fifty-two playing cards. The cards are electronically dealt and displayed in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction for example. The first card dealt is card  420  and the last card dealt is card  430 . Certain card positions may be designated or highlighted bonus positions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the first and last cards  420  and  430  are in bonus positions. Also, the second card  421  is in a bonus position. Other bonus positions may be designated as well, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention. For example, cards on the right, left, and bottom of the circular arrangement of cards  410  may be designated as bonus positions.  
      Bonus points are awarded when consecutive or adjacent cards that sum to the target number appear in the designated bonus positions. For example, if two cards that sum to the target number appear in the designated bonus positions  420  and  421 , a point is awarded for the sum and an extra bonus point is awarded since the sum is in designated bonus positions. Similarly, if a sum appears in designated bonus positions  420  and  430 , a point is awarded for the sum and an extra bonus point is awarded since the sum is in designated bonus positions.  
      When a player uses, for example, a mouse to click on the “Deal” button  470 , the cards are electronically turned over one by one, sequentially, starting with card  420  and ending with card  430  (when going clockwise). The total frequency of occurrence of sum target numbers and bonus points are automatically (i.e., electronically) totaled and are displayed to the player. If the totaled number of points equals the wagered number of points, then a won amount is credited to an account of the player and is displayed to the player based on a bet amount and odds associated with the bet, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates a first example image  500  displayed by the processor-based system  300  of  FIG. 3  after a current round of play, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The target number is designated as twelve. As can be seen from  FIG. 5 , four occurrences of the sum target number appear in the revealed arrangement of cards including a seven/five combination  510 , a three/nine combination  520 , a ten/two combination  530 , and a seven/five combination  540 . As a result, the total number of accrued points for the current round is four  590 , one point for each occurrence of the target number. If a player wagered on the total number of points being four, then the player&#39;s wager is a winning wager. For example, during the current round, a player may have wagered $20 that the total number of accrued points would be four for the current round. If the odds of the total points being four are, for example, 3-to-1, then the player will win $60 (based on the $20 bet and the 3-to-1 odds). A wagered dollar amount is entered in box  550  and a wagered number of points is entered in box  560 . The current odds are displayed in box  570  and the resultant total winnings, if any, are displayed in box  580 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Other embodiments showing, for example, a current account with a total dollar amount, are possible as well. For example, the total account value may have a bet amount automatically deducted (debit the account value) when placing a bet, and have a winning amount credited to the account upon winning.  
      In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a notification may be displayed to the player when the player wins a wager. Similarly, a notification may be displayed to the player when the player loses a wager.  
       FIG. 6  illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of an image  600  displayed by the processor-based system  300  of  FIG. 3  after a current round of play, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Again, the target number is designated as twelve. As can be seen from  FIG. 6 , four basic occurrences of sum target numbers appear in the revealed arrangement of cards including a two/King combination  610 , a Jack/two combination  620 , a two/King combination  630 , and a Jack/two combination  640 , totaling to 4 points. However, the first card dealt  650  and the last card dealt  660  also sum to the target number accounting for a bonus point. Also the cards  650  and  660  constitute an additional sum and count as a point. Therefore, the total number of accrued points is six  670  (i.e., a winning wager for the current round corresponds to a bet of 6 points).  
       FIG. 7  illustrates a third exemplary embodiment of an image  700  displayed by the processor-based system  300  of  FIG. 3  after a current round of play, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. As can be seen from  FIG. 7 , no occurrences of sum target numbers appeared in the current round and, therefore, the total number of target hits is zero  710 . In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a player may bet on zero pairs coming up.  
       FIG. 8  illustrates a fourth exemplary embodiment of an image  800  displayed by the processor-based system  300  of  FIG. 3  after a current round of play, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Again, the target number is designated as twelve. As can be seen from  FIG. 8 , four basic occurrences of sum target numbers appear in the revealed arrangement of cards including a Jack/two combination  810 , a two/King combination  820 , a two/Jack combination  830 , and a five/seven combination  840 . However, since the Jack/two combination  810  appears in the bonus positions  420  and  421  (see  FIG. 4 ), an extra bonus point is awarded. Therefore, the total number of accrued points is five  850 .  
       FIG. 9  illustrates a fifth exemplary embodiment of an image  900  displayed by the processor-based system  300  of  FIG. 3  after a current round of play, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Again, the target number is designated as twelve. As can be seen from  FIG. 9 , eleven basic occurrences of sum target numbers appear in the revealed arrangement of cards including a three/nine combination  910 , a five/seven combination  920 , a three/nine combination  930 , a seven/five combination  940 , a Queen/two combination  950 , a four/eight combination  960 , a three/nine combination  970 , a Jack/two combination  980 , a two/Queen combination  990 , a ten/two combination  1000 , and a two/Queen combination  1010 . No bonus points are accrued and, therefore, the total number of accrued target points is eleven  1020 .  
      In accordance with another aspect of the invention, which may be incorporated into any of the embodiments discussed herein, the game may provide a doubling or kicker feature, wherein the player&#39;s payout on a given bet is doubled or enhanced in the following circumstances. As an example, in a processor-based system such as described herein, the kicker or doubling feature may be automatically invoked upon the playing of multiple game rounds by a player. In an embodiment, the player doubles or enhances the winning from a previous hand or the bet on a current hand in the event that successive rounds result in the same number of winning pairs. Thus for example, in the round shown in the example of  FIG. 9 , there were eleven points based upon winning target pairs and/or bonus points. With the doubling or kicker feature, when the next hand or round is played, if the points achieved equals eleven, the player will obtain double or enhanced winnings based on the current bet or another basis. If desired, the game may be implemented such that the doubling or kicker feature is only invoked if a player bets the last rounds winnings, for example. Alternatively, the game may include a doubling or kicker button, such as shown at  1050 , which is selected by the player to invoke this feature or may be a separate bet placed by the player in a given round, related to a previously played round. In the event of losing the kicker or doubled wager, the player may be docked or charged a percentage of winnings in the current or prior round as an example.  
      Alternatively, the game may be played using representations of cards, which may be “shuffled” or randomized for use in playing the game. For example, the game may be played in the style of an instant lottery game, where representations of cards are printed on a ticket or other medium, such as in the format shown in prior embodiments, and selectively revealed to play the game. Such representations may typically be masked or covered in some way, and subsequently selectively revealed, such as by scratching, to play the game. In such an embodiment, the wager placed on the game could also be selected by the player, or the odds of winning chosen by a player, as a part of playing the game, or such variables may be set by the game distributor, as desired. The placing of a wager by the player may simply comprise buying the lottery ticket, or different pricing for tickets could be provided for differing odds games. In any event, the wagering scheme used may make instant winning possible. Such an embodiment constitutes a non-virtual version of the method of  FIG. 1 .  
      In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the various wagering options may be implemented on a physical playing surface layout where real playing cards and chips are used to place wagers. Such an embodiment may utilize a dealer to shuffle, cut, and deal the cards, and at least one player to place wagers. Such an embodiment constitutes a non-virtual version of the method of  FIG. 1 . In such an embodiment, a player “buys in” or purchases chips of a specific color or pattern distinct from any other player currently playing.  
      Certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate distinct chip patterns for each player. However, another embodiment includes standard color chips corresponding to a specific monetary denomination. The rationale behind the distinct chip patterns of certain embodiments is to permit the players, dealer and staff to easily distinguish one player&#39;s wagers from the others.  
      It may be appreciated that numerous playing variations and combinations could be applied to the fundamental principles of the present invention. The method of the present invention may be practiced by a single player or by multiple players, wherein the player(s) play against a house dealer, against a player banker, or each other in a no bank format. As also mentioned, the game may be played simply for fun, without wagering.  
      Although certain embodiments suggest payoff odds for specific wagers, it is contemplated that the odds may be modified to accommodate variables and preferences of individual casinos or houses. For instance, a specific casino may choose to structure the odds to attract players where others may choose to hold back on the odds giving the house an edge over the players.  
      It is further contemplated in another embodiment of the present invention that a player may use other forms of wagers including, but not limited to, cash and coins while playing the game of the present invention.  
      In still another embodiment of the present invention, one ordinarily skilled in the art would realize that the present invention could be played using more than one deck of cards. Additionally, it is understood that custom cards may be used in lieu of standard conventional playing cards. Accordingly, the odds of each wager would change to correspond to the probability of a specific wager in light of the use of multiple decks or custom cards.  
      In summary, embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for playing a card game based on revealed sums of a target number. Normal points and bonus points are totaled based on a number of revealed sums of the target number in an arrangement of dealt cards and based on whether or not the revealed sums appear in pre-designated bonus positions in the arrangement. The card game may be played manually on a non-virtual playing surface or may be played as an electronic or on-line game on a processor-based platform, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
      While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.