Patent Publication Number: US-6705943-B2

Title: Combined poker games

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     This invention is in the general field of casino gaming and, more particularly, is a method of playing a game having features of a plurality of different types of poker games. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Poker is the most frequently played card game in the United States. A player in a Poker game wagers that he holds a Poker hand having a rank that is higher than a rank of a Poker hand held by any other player. 
     Almost invariant features of the Poker game is that it is played with a standard deck of fifty two cards and a Poker hand is comprised of five of the cards. The player with the Poker hand having the highest rank is usually the winner. Rankings of five card Poker hands, in descending order, are given as: 
     ROYAL FLUSH, (Ace, King, Queen, Jack and 10 of the same suit); 
     STRAIGHT FLUSH, (five cards in sequence in any suit, i.e. Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, of the same suit); 
     FOUR OF A KIND, (four Aces is highest); 
     FULL HOUSE, (THREE OF A KIND plus a PAIR, i.e., 10, 10, 10, King King); 
     FLUSH (Five cards of the same suit); 
     STRAIGHT (five cards in sequence but of different suits, i.e., (Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7); 
     THREE OF A KIND (Three cards of the same rank, i.e., three Aces); 
     TWO PAIRS (i.e., two Kings and two 10&#39;s); 
     ONE PAIR (two 5&#39;s); and 
     NO PAIR 
     A ranking of cards comprising the five card Poker hand is germane to determining its rank. Thus, for example, the five card Poker hand that is comprised of a pair of 10&#39;s has a higher rank than the five card Poker hand that is comprised of a pair of 9&#39;s. 
     A well known variation of poker is a game called seven card stud poker where a player is dealt seven cards. A five card poker hand of the highest possible is selected from the seven dealt cards. Ranks of selected five card poker hands for all players are compared to determine a winner. 
     Usually, there are eight players in the seven card stud game. Prior to dealing a round of cards to the eight players, such as a round of first cards, for example, a dealer usually deals what is known as a burn card, face down, that is not used in forming the player&#39;s hands. Accordingly, seven burn cards are dealt during the seven card stud game. Because there are eight players and because of the burn cards, it may not be possible to provide a seventh card to all of the players. When it is not possible, the dealer deals a community card, face up, that is regarded as each player&#39;s seventh card. 
     A more recent variation of poker is a game called three card poker where three cards are dealt to each player. A ranking of a three card poker hand, in descending order, is given as: 
     ROYAL FLUSH 
     STRAIGHT FLUSH 
     THREE OF A KIND 
     STRAIGHT 
     FLUSH 
     ONE PAIR 
     The casino usually tries to promote games of the type where the player makes wagers against the casino rather than against the other players. By having the player wager against the casino there is an increase in the casino&#39;s revenue. Accordingly, a game where one player wagers against another player is not regarded as highly desirable by a casino manager. 
     Heretofore, there has not been a poker game that combines features of well known poker games. Combining features of different types of poker games into a single game would enhance the interest of a casino patron. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a game that includes features of three card poker, five card stud Poker, five card Draw Poker and seven card stud Poker. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a poker game where a payout is made by a casino to a winning player in accordance with a payout table. 
     According to one aspect of the invention, three cards are dealt to a player whereby the player has a three card Poker hand. The three cards are augmented by two cards whereby the player has five cards of a five card Poker hand. The five cards are augmented by two cards, whereby the player has a seven card Poker hand. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, five cards are dealt to a player whereby a player has a five card Stud Poker hand. The player is given an option of replacing a card of the five card Stud Poker hand whereby the player has a five card Draw Poker hand. The Draw Poker hand is augmented by two cards whereby the player has a seven card Stud Poker hand. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, three community cards form a three card Stud Poker hand. The three community cards additionally augment four cards dealt to a player to form a seven card Stud Poker hand. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, gaming machines are used to play a game that is a combination of three card Stud Poker, five card Stud Poker and seven card Stud and a game that is a combination of five card Draw Poker and seven card Stud Poker. 
     Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention should be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a playing surface whereon a game is played in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of a portion of a playing surface of a table where a game of is played in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of a playing surface of a table where a game of is played in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; 
     FIGS. 3 a - 3   d  are plan views of a video screen of a gaming machine used to play a game in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; and 
     FIGS. 4 a - 4   c  are plan views of a video screen game is played in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     All games described hereinafter utilize a standard deck of fifty two cards. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, a game is played on a semi-circular top surface  10  of a table that has an arcuate edge  12 . Player stations  14 ,  16 ,  18  are proximal to the edge  12 . 
     The player station  14  includes a showing of circles  20 ,  21 ,  22  with lettering of the numerals,  3 ,  5 ,  7 , respectively, therein. The player stations  16 ,  18  have circles similar to those of the player station  14 . 
     Community cards are used in the first embodiment. A showing of rectangular community card placement locations  24 ,  25 ,  26  are carried near the center of the surface  10 . Additionally, lettering of a three card Stud Poker payout table  28 , a five card Stud Poker payout table  29  and a seven card Stud Poker payout table  30  is carried upon the surface  10  at any suitable location. 
     The payout tables  28 - 30  provide pairs of entries. One entry of a pair is a poker rank; the other entry is a payout multiplier. Thus, for example, when a three card poker hand is a straight flush and there has been a three card Poker wager of one dollar by a player, there is a payout to a player of an amount equal to forty dollars (forty multiplied by one dollar). 
     Prior to a start of play, the station  14  player has an option of making any of three Stud Poker wagers that include a three card Stud Poker wager, a five card Stud Poker wager and a seven Stud card Poker wager. The Stud wagers are made by the station  14  player when cheques representative of the amounts of the three, five, and seven card wagers are placed within the circles  20 - 22 , respectively. The station  16  and the station  18  players have a similar option and make wagers in a manner similar to that described hereinbefore. All of the players are required to make at least one of the three wagers. 
     After the Stud wagers have been made, three cards are dealt to each of the players whereby each of the players has a three card Stud Poker hand. As explained hereinafter, the three cards of the players are augmented by two community cards whereby each player has five cards of a five card Stud Poker hand. The five cards are augmented by an additional two community cards whereby each player has a seven card Stud Poker hand. 
     After the three cards are dealt, a community card is preferably placed face down upon each of the locations  24 - 27 . Alternatively, community cards at the locations  24 - 27  are placed face up. 
     In one alternative embodiment, the community cards are dealt face down. After the three cards are dealt and prior to the community cards being turned face up, each of the players has an option of rescinding the seven card Stud Poker wager upon forfeiture of a portion of the seven card wager. 
     When the station  14  player has made the three card wager, a payout is made to the station  14  player in accordance with the table  28  whereby the station  14  player&#39;s three card wager is settled. Thus, for example, when the station  14  player&#39;s three card hand is a flush, the station  14  player wins a four to one payout. When the station  14  player&#39;s three card hand has a rank of less than one pair, the station  14  player loses the three card wager. In a similar manner, three card wagers of the station  16  player and the station  18  player are settled. 
     After all of the three card Stud Poker wagers have been settled, the cards at the locations  24 ,  25  are turned face up whereby the station  14  payer has a five card Stud Poker hand that includes the station  14  player&#39;s three cards augmented by the cards at the locations  24 ,  25 . When the station  14  player has made the five card wager, a payout is made to the station  14  player in accordance with the table  29  whereby the station  14  player&#39;s five card Stud wager is settled. 
     Thus, for example, when the station  14  player&#39;s five card hand includes a full house, the station  14  player wins a twelve to one payout. When the station  14  player&#39;s five card hand has a rank of less than one pair of sixes, the station  14  player loses the five card wager. In a similar manner, five card wagers of the station  16  player and the station  18  player are settled. 
     After all of the five card wagers have been settled, the cards at the locations  26 ,  27  are turned face up whereby the station  14  player has a seven card Stud Poker hand that includes the station  14  player&#39;s three cards augmented by the cards at the locations  24 - 27 . When the station  14  player has made the seven card wager, a payout is made to the station  14  player in accordance with the table  30  whereby the station  14  player&#39;s seven card wager is settled. 
     Thus, for example, when highest possible rank of five cards of the seven card hand of the station  14  player is four of a kind, the station  14  player receives a seven to one payout. When the highest possible rank of five cards of the station  14  player&#39;s seven card hand is less than two pair, tens high, the station  14  player loses the seven card wager. In a similar manner, seven card wagers of the station  16  player and the station  18  player are settled. 
     It should be understood that a wild card, such as a joker, may be included as a wild card in the first embodiment and in all other embodiments described hereinafter. Additionally, there may be a bonus payout to a player who has a hand that is a royal flush, for example. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, the station  14  includes the circles  21 ,  22 . The station  16  and the station  18  include similar circles. Additionally included are the card placement locations  24 ,  25  and the payout tables  29 ,  30 . 
     Prior to a start of play, the station  14  player makes a five card Stud Poker wager and a seven car Stud Poker wager by placing cheques within the circles  21 ,  22 , respectively. Similar wagers are made by the station  16  player and the station  18  player. 
     When the wagers have been made, five cards are dealt to the station  14  player and a card is placed, face down, at the location  24  and the location  25 . 
     After reviewing the five dealt cards, the station  14  player has an option of doubling the seven card wager and an option of rescinding the seven card wager. When the recission option is exercised, the station  14  player forfeits a portion of the seven card wager. 
     The station  16  player and the station  18  player are dealt five cards, face down, and have options similar to those of the station  14  player. The five card wagers are settled in a manner similar to that described in the first embodiment. 
     After the five card wagers have been settled, cards at the locations  24 ,  25  are turned face up whereby the station  14  has a seven card Stud Poker hand comprised of the five dealt cards and the cards at the locations  24 ,  25 . Similarly, the station  16  player and the station  18  player have seven card Stud Poker hands. The seven card wagers are settled in a manner similar to that described in the first embodiment. It should be understood that a joker may be included as a wild card in the second embodiment. 
     As shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention, the station  14  includes the circles  20 ,  22 . The station  16  and the station  18  include similar circles. Additionally included are the card placement locations  24 ,  25 ,  26  and the payout tables  28 ,  30 . 
     Prior to a start of play, the station  14  player makes a seven car Stud Poker wager by placing cheques within the circle  22 . A similar wager is made by the station  16  player and the station  18  player. 
     When the wager has been made, four cards are dealt to the station  14  player and a community card is placed, face down, at the locations  24 ,  25 ,  26 . 
     After reviewing the four dealt cards, the station  14  player has an option of making a three card Stud Poker wager. The station  16  player and the station  18  player have a similar option. Thereafter, the cards at the locations  24 ,  25 ,  26  are turned face up. 
     The cards at the locations  24 ,  25 ,  26  form a three card Stud Poker hand. When the station  14  player makes the three card wager, a three card payout is made to the station  14  player in accordance with the table  28 . 
     The four cards dealt to the station  14  player and the cards at the locations  24 ,  25 ,  26  form a seven card Stud Poker hand. A seven card payout is made to the station  14  player in accordance with the table  30 . Similar payouts are made to the station  16  player and to the station  18  player. 
     In accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention, a gaming machine stores a signal representation of images of fifty two cards of a standard deck of cards. Prior to a start of play of the gaming machine, a player has an option of making any of three wagers that include a three card Stud Poker wager, a five card Stud Poker wager and a seven card Stud Poker wager. The wagers are made by depositing money representative of the wagers within the gaming machine. 
     As shown in FIG. 3 a , after the money is deposited, a video screen  62  of the gaming machine provides a video image of cards  63 - 69 , face down. Thereafter, the gaming machine player touches any three of the images  63 - 69 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3 b , in response to the images  63 ,  64 ,  69  being touched, for example, they are replaced by images  631 ,  641 ,  691 , respectively. The images  631 ,  641 ,  691  are of a nine of clubs, a nine of spades and a three of diamonds, respectively, thereby providing an image of a three card Stud Poker hand. A payout is made to the gaming machine player in accordance with the payout table  28  of the first embodiment, whereby the gaming machine player&#39;s three card wager is settled. After the gaming machine player&#39;s three card is settled, the gaming machine player touches any two of the images  65 - 68 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3 c , in response to the images  66 ,  68  being touched, for example, they are replaced by images  661 ,  681 , respectively. The images  661 ,  681  are of an eight of hearts and a king of hearts, respectively, whereby an image of a five card Stud Poker hand comprised of the images  331 ,  341 ,  361 ,  381 ,  391  is provided. A payout is made to the gaming machine player in accordance with the payout table  29  of the first embodiment, whereby the gaming machine player&#39;s five card wager is settled. After the gaming machine player&#39;s five card wager is settled, the gaming machine player touches the images  65 ,  67 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3 d , in response to the images  65 ,  67  being touched, they are replaced by images  651 ,  671 , respectively. The images  651 ,  671  are of a king of spades and a queen of spades, respectively, whereby an image of a seven card Stud Poker hand comprised of the images  631 ,  641 ,  651 ,  661 ,  671 ,  681 ,  691  is provided. A payout is made to the gaming machine player in accordance with the payout table  30  of the first embodiment, whereby the gaming machine player&#39;s seven card Stud Poker wager is settled. 
     In accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention, similar to that described hereinbefore, provides the gaming machine player with an option of making a five card Draw Poker wager and the seven card Stud Poker. Money representative of the five card Draw and seven card Stud wagers is deposited in the gaming machine. 
     After the money is deposited, the video screen  62  provides the video image of the cards  63 - 69  face down (FIG. 3 a ). Thereafter, the gaming machine player touches any five of the images  63 - 69 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4 a , in response to the images  63 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 ,  69  being touched, for example, they are replaced by the images  631 ,  641 ,  661 ,  681 ,  691 . Additionally, images  632 ,  642 ,  662 ,  682 ,  692  of hold buttons are provided proximal to the images  631 ,  641 ,  681 ,  691 , respectively. An image of a replace button  700  is positioned on the video screen  62  at any suitable location. 
     As shown in FIG. 4 b , in response to the gaming machine player touching the hold buttons  662 ,  682 ,  692  (FIG. 4 a ), for example, and then making a first touching the image  700 , the images  661 ,  681 ,  691  are replaced by images  663 ,  683 ,  693  which are the king of diamonds, ace of hearts and ace of spades, respectively. Hence, the gaming machine player has a five card Draw Poker hand comprised of cards having the images  631 ,  641 ,  663 ,  683 ,  693 . 
     A payout is made to the gaming machine player in accordance with a five card Draw Poker payout table (not shown) whereby the gaming machine player&#39;s five card Draw Poker wager is settled. After the gaming machine player&#39;s five card Draw Poker wager is settled, the gaming machine player makes a second touching of the image  700 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4 c , in response to the images  65 ,  67  being touched, the images  65 ,  67  are replaced by images  654 ,  674 , respectively. The images  654 ,  674  are of a four of clubs and a jack of spades, respectively, whereby an image of a seven card Stud Poker hand comprised of the images  631 ,  641 ,  654 ,  663 ,  674 ,  683 ,  693  is provided. A payout is made to the gaming machine player in accordance with a modified seven card Stud Poker payout table (not shown), whereby the gaming machine player&#39;s seven card Stud Poker wager is settled. 
     It should be understood that games corresponding to those disclosed herein may be played on the internet or on a computer. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.