Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9251665B2/en
Timestamp: 2019-04-23 12:43:56
Document Index: 52617767

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 60', 'arts 114', 'arts 172', 'arts 182', 'arts 186', 'arts 182', 'arts 172']

US9251665B2 - Gaming system and method for providing automatic wild card assignment in video poker games - Google Patents
Gaming system and method for providing automatic wild card assignment in video poker games Download PDF
US9251665B2
US9251665B2 US13/901,271 US201313901271A US9251665B2 US 9251665 B2 US9251665 B2 US 9251665B2 US 201313901271 A US201313901271 A US 201313901271A US 9251665 B2 US9251665 B2 US 9251665B2
US13/901,271
US20130260855A1 (en
2006-08-30 Priority to US84099306P priority Critical
2007-08-30 Priority to US11/897,922 priority patent/US8449362B2/en
2013-05-23 Application filed by IGT Inc filed Critical IGT Inc
2013-05-23 Priority to US13/901,271 priority patent/US9251665B2/en
2013-10-03 Publication of US20130260855A1 publication Critical patent/US20130260855A1/en
2013-10-29 Assigned to PRECEDENT GAMING, INC. reassignment PRECEDENT GAMING, INC. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: JACKSON, KATHLEEN NYLUND
2013-10-29 Assigned to IGT reassignment IGT ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: PRECEDENT GAMING, INC.
2016-02-02 Publication of US9251665B2 publication Critical patent/US9251665B2/en
A video poker game including a wild card feature is provided. For a play of the video poker game, a predetermined number of cards are randomly dealt from a players standard deck of 52 cards to form an initial player hand. If the player made a side bet, at least one up to the predetermined number of cards are simultaneously dealt from a separate deck to form a house hand. Any cards in the initial player hand that match any cards in the house hand are automatically changed into a wild card. The player chooses which cards to hold and which cards to discard from the initial player hand. Replacement cards for the discarded cards are dealt from the remainder of cards in the players deck to form a final player hand. The final player hand is evaluated according to a predetermined paytable and any awards are provided.
This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/897,922, filed on Aug. 30, 2007, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/840,993, filed on Aug. 30, 2006, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
Electronic casino games, whether video poker or slot games, have grown exponentially in numbers in the last twenty years, as have the revenues generated by such machine games. It has been estimated that more than 70% of any casino's revenue is now provided by machine games as opposed to table games.
Video poker in particular has become enormously popular with the casino player who prefers a game that requires decision-making. Although video poker is a randomly-dealt game of chance, there is an element of skill involved in the game play. After the player is dealt an initial hand, usually consisting of five cards, the player may select which cards to hold and which cards to discard. Replacement cards are provided for the discarded cards, and the final hand is evaluated for wins according to a predetermined paytable. By applying an optimal strategy in the hold/discard phase, the player can increase his chance of winning and/or decrease the average house hold.
Standard video poker games consist mainly of two types of games: non-wild and wild card games. Non-wild games are exemplified by the most basic game of Jacks or Better, and include many other variations such as Bonus Poker and Double Bonus Poker. The two most popular wild card games are Deuces Wild and Joker Poker. In these games, certain cards are wild (the 2s in Deuces Wild, the Joker(s) in Jokers Wild), i.e., the wild card may be considered to be any other card, so as to enable the player to more easily make a winning hand. Wild card games are often more exciting to play, but the pays for most winning combinations are usually lower than in the non-wild games.
There is a continuing need to provide new video poker games which blend the pays of standard non-wild video poker games with the excitement of wild card games to provide unique and exciting ways to play video poker. Accordingly, one advantage of the present invention is to provide players with new and enticing features that will stimulate player interest and increase time on the machine. In particular, the present invention seeks to provide the player with a dynamic game play that will heighten the player's expectations, boost confidence in the likelihood of a winning result, and provide non-wild pays for wild card play.
The present invention relates to electronic poker games suitable for use in casinos, on-line and in other gaming enterprises. The invention further relates to video gaming play that provides a random deal of a player's or first hand along with a random deal of a house or second hand in which cards in the player's hand that match cards in the house hand are considered wild.
In one embodiment, a monitor screen is provided on which card symbols may be provided for use in a video poker game. In the video poker game, the player makes a wager to play an underlying draw poker game consisting of at least a single hand of poker. An additional bet or “side bet” may be required to utilize a wild card play option, the side bet being made before any cards are dealt. A predetermined number of initial cards are randomly dealt from a standard deck or decks of 52 cards (or up to 54 cards including jokers) to form the initial player's hand.
In one embodiment, if the player has made a side bet wager, at least one up to the predetermined number of player's hand cards are simultaneously (or nearly simultaneously) dealt from a separate set (less or more than a complete multiple of a deck), deck or decks to a house hand. In one such embodiment, the player's hand is prominently displayed (e.g., in a central orientation) on the monitor screen and the house hand is conveniently displayed (e.g., above or below), with the first card of the house hand in an easily compared orientation (e.g., directly below) with respect to the first card of the player's hand, the second card of the house hand directly below the second card of the player's hand, and so on.
In one embodiment, any cards in the player's hand that match any cards in the house hand (e.g., either in the exact adjacent location, such as the second cards in both hands, or anywhere in the two hands) by rank, suit and/or position are automatically changed to be wild cards, i.e., cards that can be considered to be any card in order to help achieve an optimum winning combination. A software program will automatically determine what specific card (or general card, such as a fifth ranked card added to four-of-a-kind) will best benefit the rank of the hand. The wild card may remain fixed throughout the remainder of the game or may change as replacement cards are drawn and the wild card might preferably be a different card then originally selected.
In one embodiment, the player chooses which cards to hold and which cards to discard from the player's hand. Replacement cards for the discarded cards are dealt from the remainder of cards in the player's hand deck. The outcome for this final hand is evaluated according to a predetermined paytable. In one such embodiment, the predetermined paytable offers the traditional pays of a standard video poker game, and wherein the wild card option feature does not significantly lower the paytable but rather is compensated for by the side bet, varying certain payouts such as the full house or flush, and/or providing additional specific pays such as a wild royal, 5-of-a-kind and 5 wilds. Any winning payout amounts are then provided to the player.
Those trained in the art will appreciate that these play options are exemplary and are not intended to dictate an exclusive method of play, nor limit or restrict specific game play. This invention may be played in the aforementioned single-hand game format as well as in a multi-hand format with multiple player hands against a single dealer hand. The wild card play methods may be utilized with any standard non-wild video poker game versions, as well as with standard wild video poker game versions.
FIGS. 3, 4, 5 and 6 are front elevational views of one embodiment of the gaming device disclosed herein illustrating different stages of an example poker game disclosed herein.
FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 are front elevational views of one embodiment of the gaming device disclosed herein illustrating different stages of another example poker game disclosed herein.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming device includes one or more display devices controlled by the processor. The display devices are preferably connected to or mounted to the cabinet of the gaming device. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a central display device 16 which displays a primary game. This display device may also display any suitable secondary game associated with the primary game as well as information relating to the primary or secondary game. The alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central display device 16 and an upper display device 18. The upper display device may display the primary game, any suitable secondary game associated or not associated with the primary game and/or information relating to the primary or secondary game. These display devices may also serve as digital glass operable to advertise games or other aspects of the gaming establishment. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 16, in one embodiment, the gaming device includes a credit display 20 which displays a player's current number of credits, cash, account balance or the equivalent. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a bet display 22 which displays a player's amount wagered. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below, the gaming device includes a player tracking display 40 which displays information regarding a player's playing tracking status.
Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering primary or base game if the poker game described herein is implemented as a bonus or secondary game. The gaming machine or device may include some or all of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices. The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel-type game, card game, cascading or falling symbol game, number game or other game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic or electromechanical form, which in one embodiment produces a random outcome based on probability data at the time of or after placement of a wager. That is, different primary wagering games, such as video poker games, video blackjack games, video keno, video bingo or any other suitable primary or base game may be implemented.
In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, if the poker game described herein is implemented as a bonus or secondary game, a base or primary game may be a slot game with one or more paylines 52. The paylines may be horizontal, vertical, circular, diagonal, angled or any combination thereof. In this embodiment, the gaming device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of reels 54, such as three to five reels 54, in either electromechanical form with mechanical rotating reels or video form with simulated reels and movement thereof. In one embodiment, an electromechanical slot machine includes a plurality of adjacent, rotatable reels which may be combined and operably coupled with an electronic display of any suitable type. In another embodiment, if the reels 54 are in video form, one or more of the display devices, as described above, display the plurality of simulated video reels 54. Each reel 54 displays a plurality of indicia or symbols, such as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device. In another embodiment, one or more of the reels are independent reels or unisymbol reels. In this embodiment, each independent or unisymbol reel generates and displays one symbol to the player. In one embodiment, the gaming device awards prizes after the reels of the primary game stop spinning if specified types and/or configurations of indicia or symbols occur on an active payline or otherwise occur in a winning pattern, occur on the requisite number of adjacent reels and/or occur in a scatter pay arrangement.
In one embodiment, if the poker game described herein is implemented as a bonus or secondary game, a base or primary game may be another poker game wherein the gaming device enables the player to play a conventional game of video draw poker and initially deals five cards all face up from a virtual deck of fifty-two card deck. Cards may be dealt as in a traditional game of cards or in the case of the gaming device, may also include that the cards are randomly selected from a predetermined number of cards. If the player wishes to draw, the player selects the cards to hold via one or more input device, such as pressing related hold buttons or via the touch-screen. The player then presses the deal button and the unwanted or discarded cards are removed from the display and the gaming machine deals the replacement cards from the remaining cards in the deck. This results in a final five-card hand. The gaming device compares the final five-card hand to a payout table which utilizes conventional poker hand rankings to determine the winning hands. The gaming device provides the player with an award based on a winning hand and the credits the player wagered.
In another embodiment, if the poker game described herein is implemented as a bonus or secondary game, the base or primary game may be a multi-hand version of video poker. In this embodiment, the gaming device deals the player at least two hands of cards. In one such embodiment, the cards are the same cards. In one embodiment each hand of cards is associated with its own deck of cards. The player chooses the cards to hold in a primary hand. The held cards in the primary hand are also held in the other hands of cards. The remaining non-held cards are removed from each hand displayed and for each hand replacement cards are randomly dealt into that hand. Since the replacement cards are randomly dealt independently for each hand, the replacement cards for each hand will usually be different. The poker hand rankings are then determined hand by hand and awards are provided to the player.
In one embodiment, if the poker game described herein is implemented as a bonus or secondary game, a base or primary game may be a keno game wherein the gaming device displays a plurality of selectable indicia or numbers on at least one of the display devices. In this embodiment, the player selects at least one or a plurality of the selectable indicia or numbers via an input device such as the touch-screen. The gaming device then displays a series of drawn numbers to determine an amount of matches, if any, between the player's selected numbers and the gaming device's drawn numbers. The player is provided an award based on the amount of matches, if any, based on the amount of determined matches and the number of numbers drawn.
In one embodiment, if the poker game described herein is implemented as a base or primary game, in addition to winning credits or other awards in a base or primary game, the gaming device may also give players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus or secondary game or bonus or secondary round. The bonus or secondary game enables the player to obtain a prize or payout in addition to the prize or payout, if any, obtained from the base or primary game. In general, a bonus or secondary game produces a significantly higher level of player excitement than the base or primary game because it provides a greater expectation of winning than the base or primary game and is accompanied with more attractive or unusual features than the base or primary game. In one embodiment, the bonus or secondary game may be any type of suitable game, either similar to or completely different from the base or primary game.
Poker Game with Wild Cards
In one embodiment, a processor driven system with a monitor screen is provided. Card symbols may be provided for view on the monitor screen for use in a video poker game. In the video poker game, the player makes a wager to play an underlying draw poker game consisting of at least a single hand of poker. In one embodiment, an additional bet or “side bet” may be required to utilize a wild card play option, the side bet being made before any cards are dealt. In different embodiments, the amount of the additional bet or side bet required to utilize the wild card play option is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on a generated symbol or symbol combination, determined based on a random determination by the central controller, determined based on a random determination at the gaming machine, determined based on a weighted parameter, determined based on one or more side wagers placed, determined based on the player's primary game wager, determined based on time (such as the time of day), determined based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one or more pools or determined based on any other suitable method or criteria.
In one embodiment, a predetermined number of initial cards are randomly dealt from a standard deck or decks of 52 cards (or up to 54 cards including jokers) to form the initial player's hand or first hand. If the player has made a side bet wager, at least one up to the predetermined number of player's hand cards are simultaneously (or nearly simultaneously) dealt from a separate deck or decks to for a house or dealer's hand or second hand. In one such embodiment, the player's hand is displayed in a central orientation on the monitor screen and the house hand is displayed below, with the first card of the house hand directly below the first card of the player's hand, the second card of the house hand directly below the second card of the player's hand, and so on. It should be appreciated that the player's hand and the house hand may be displayed in any suitable configuration.
In one embodiment, any cards in the player's hand that match any cards in the house hand by rank, suit and/or position are automatically changed to be wild cards. In this embodiment, a wild card is a card that can be considered to be any card in order to help achieve an optimum winning combination. In different embodiments, the determination of if any card in the player's hand must match the rank and/or suit and/or position of any card in the house hand is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on a generated symbol or symbol combination, determined based on a random determination by the central controller, determined based on a random determination at the gaming machine, determined based on a weighted parameter, determined based on one or more side wagers placed, determined based on the players primary game wager, determined based on time (such as the time of day), determined based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one or more pools or determined based on any other suitable method or criteria.
In one embodiment, the player chooses which cards to hold and which cards to discard from the player's hand. Replacement cards for the discarded cards are dealt from the remainder of cards in the player's hand deck. The outcome for this final hand is evaluated according to a predetermined paytable.
In one embodiment, cards in the initial player's hand deal that have become wild may or may not appear in the replacement card set. In different embodiments, the determination of if playing cards in the initial player's hand that have become wild appear in the replacement card set is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on a generated symbol or symbol combination, determined based on a random determination by the central controller, determined based on a random determination at the gaming machine, determined based on a weighted parameter, determined based on one or more side wagers placed, determined based on the player's primary game wager, determined based on time (such as the time of day), determined based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one or more pools or determined based on any other suitable method or criteria.
In one embodiment, the predetermined paytable offers the traditional pays of a standard video poker game, and wherein the wild card option feature does not significantly lower the paytable but rather is compensated for by the side bet, varying certain payouts such as the full house or flush, and/or providing additional specific pays such as a wild royal, 5-of-a-kind and 5 wilds. Any winning hands are then provided with payouts distributed to the player. A software program will automatically determine what specific card (or general card, such as a fifth ranked card added to four-of-a-kind) will best benefit the rank of the hand. The wild card may remain fixed throughout the remainder of the game or may change as replacement cards are drawn and the wild card might preferably be a different card then originally selected. In different embodiments, the determination of whether a wild card remains fixed or changes as replacement cards are drawn is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on a generated symbol or symbol combination, determined based on a random determination by the central controller, determined based on a random determination at the gaming machine, determined based on a weighted parameter, determined based on one or more side wagers placed, determined based on the player's primary game wager, determined based on time (such as the time of day), determined based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one or more pools or determined based on any other suitable method or criteria.
In one embodiment of the gaming system disclosed herein requires a maximum wager on the base game, for example, 5 credits to play a single hand of 5-card draw poker. The side bet would require a wager of at least one credit for a 5-card house hand. After the wagering is completed, the gaming device initiates the deal, wherein a 5-card hand is randomly dealt from a 52-card deck to the player's hand, and a 5-card hand is randomly dealt from a separate 52-card deck to the house hand. On the monitor screen, the first card in the player's hand is positioned directly over the first card of the house hand, and likewise for the rest of the cards. If any card in the player's hand matches the rank AND suit AND position of any card in the house hand, that player card is immediately changed into a wild card. By adjusting the odds and payout amounts, a more general appearance of wild cards may be provided, as by not requiring that cards match in the exact adjacent location, such as the second cards in both hands, but rather may appear in any position in the two hands.
In one embodiment, the graphics of rank and suit on said card(s) may be reduced in color intensity, so as to provide a muted but still visible appearance, while a more prominent “WILD” indicia is placed thereon. The player may choose to hold none, one, some or all of the player's hand cards, and the rest of the player cards are discarded. The discarded cards are randomly replaced with replacement cards from the remainder of the player's deck, and a final hand is shown. The final hand is evaluated according to a predetermined paytable and any wins are provided to the player. Because the frequency of the specific match wild card event is low (1/52), the paytable may remain the same or be changed. The amount of the side bet must appear worthwhile with respect to the amount to be won with a wild card hand.
In another embodiment of the gaming system disclosed herein requires a maximum wager on the base game, for example, 5 credits to play a single hand of 5-card draw poker. The side bet would require a wager of at least one credit per card in the house hand. Alternately, the per card wager on the house hand may be in escalating fashion, for example one credit for one card, three credits for two cards, six credits for three cards, ten credits for four cards, or fifteen credits for five cards. In different embodiments, the per card wager on the house hand is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on a generated symbol or symbol combination, determined based on a random determination by the central controller, determined based on a random determination at the gaming machine, determined based on a weighted parameter, determined based on one or more side wagers placed, determined based on the player's primary game wager, determined based on time (such as the time of day), determined based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one or more pools or determined based on any other suitable method or criteria.
After the wagering is completed, the gaming device initiates the deal, wherein a 5-card hand is randomly dealt from a conventional 52-card deck to the player's hand, and at least one card and up to five cards are randomly dealt from a separate conventional 52-card deck to the house hand. On the monitor screen, the first card in the player's hand is positioned directly over the first card of the house hand, and likewise for the rest of the cards if there is more than one card in the house hand. If any card in the player's hand matches the rank AND suit (but not necessarily the position) of any card in the house hand, that player card is immediately changed into a wild card. The graphics of rank and suit on said card(s) may be reduced in color intensity, so as to provide a muted but still visible appearance, while a more prominent “WILD” indicia is placed thereon. The player may then choose to hold none, one, some or all of the player's hand cards, and the rest of the player cards are discarded. The discarded cards are randomly replaced with replacement cards from the remainder of the player's deck, and a final hand is shown. The final hand is evaluated according to a predetermined paytable and any wins are provided to the player.
It is also an optional format for all five of the dealer's hand cards to be dealt in a line adjacent a single players card (forming a perpendicular line of five cards with respect to the player's hand, with each of the five cards compared to a single player card or for a greater initial wager, compared against all five player cards).
In another embodiment of the gaming system disclosed herein requires a maximum wager on the base game, for example, 5 credits to play a single hand of 5-card draw poker. The side bet would require a wager of at least one credit per card in the house hand. After the wagering is completed, the gaming device initiates the deal, wherein a 5-card hand is randomly dealt from a 52-card deck to the player's hand, and at least one card and up to five cards are randomly dealt from a separate 52-card deck to the house hand. On the monitor screen, the first card in the player's hand is positioned directly over the first card of the house hand, and likewise for the rest of the cards if there is more than one wagered card in the house hand. If any card in the player's hand matches the rank. AND position (but not necessarily the suit) of any card in the house hand, that player card is immediately changed into a wild card. The graphics of rank and suit on said card(s) may be reduced in color intensity, so as to provide a muted but still visible appearance, while a more prominent “WILD” indicia is placed thereon. The player may choose to hold none, one, some or all of the player's hand cards, and the rest of the player cards are discarded. The discarded cards are randomly replaced with replacement cards from the remainder of the player's deck, and a final hand is shown. The final hand is evaluated according to a predetermined paytable and any wins are provided to the player.
An additional element may be applied to any the foregoing embodiments: any replacement cards that match any of the house cards may themselves be considered to be wild cards. This adds extra anticipation and excitement to the draw step, although it may require a larger side bet wager. In different embodiments, the determination of if any replacement cards that match any of the house cards may themselves be considered to be wild cards is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on a generated symbol or symbol combination, determined based on a random determination by the central controller, determined based on a random determination at the gaming machine, determined based on a weighted parameter, determined based on one or more side wagers placed, determined based on the players primary game wager, determined based on time (such as the time of day), determined based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one or more pools or determined based on any other suitable method or criteria.
In another embodiment, a similar but separate game play incorporates all of the present invention's features as previously described, except that the WILD cards and WILD indicia are replaced by MULTIPLIER cards and MULTIPLIER indicia respectively. In other words, matching cards in the player's hand and house hand become random multipliers (from 2× pay to 10× pay, for instance) in the players hand. The multiplier cards may or may not keep their original rank and suit. In different embodiments, the amounts of each multiplier is predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the player's status (such as determined through a player tracking system), determined based on a generated symbol or symbol combination, determined based on a random determination by the central controller, determined based on a random determination at the gaming machine, determined based on a weighted parameter, determined based on one or more side wagers placed, determined based on the player's primary game wager, determined based on time (such as the time of day), determined based on an amount of coin-in accumulated in one or more pools or determined based on any other suitable method or criteria.
It should be appreciated that the assignment of a wild symbol and/or multiplier disclosed herein may be implemented in accordance with any suitable primary game or any suitable secondary game which may include one or more wild symbols (or one or more multipliers). In different embodiments, the determination described herein of which symbol to function as a wild symbol or a multiplier symbol is incorporated into any suitable slot game, any suitable card game, any suitable keno game, any suitable bingo game, any suitable craps game, any suitable roulette game, any suitable baccarat game, any suitable wheel game, any suitable selection game, any suitable offer and acceptance game, any suitable cascading symbols game, any suitable ways to win game, any suitable scatter pay game or any other suitable type of game.
FIG. 3 shows a video poker machine monitor screen 16, 18 with five touch-screen HOLD/DISCARD buttons for card play selection (134, 136, 138, 140, 142). The player has wagered 5 credits to play a 5-card player's hand of Jacks or Better poker as shown on the touch-screen button 104. The player has also wagered 2 credits as a Side Bet to play the wild card bonus option as shown on the touch-screen button 106. The wild card bonus option rules require that any matches between the player's hand and the house hand must include rank, suit AND position. The Total Bet of 7 credits is shown in the box 108. A Credits Won box is shown 110, along with the player's Total Available Credits (73 credits after the 7 credit wager) 112. The result of the initial deal of the player's hand from a first deck of 52 cards is shown, with the Ace of Hearts 114 in the first card position, the King of Clubs 116 in the second card position, the 6 of Spades 118 in the third card position, the Ace of Clubs 120 in the fourth card position, and the 9 of Spades 122 in the fifth card position. The wild card bonus option provides a 5-card house hand from a separate second 52-card deck, the result of which shows the 8 of Clubs 124 in the first card position, the King of Clubs 126 in the second card position, the 10 of Diamonds 128 in the third card position, the 4 of Clubs 130 in the fourth card position, and the 2 of Clubs 132 in the fifth card position.
FIG. 4 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 3 with the King of Clubs 126 in the house hand being highlighted 144 because it matches the rank, suit and position of the King of Clubs 116 in the player's hand. The graphics on the King of Clubs 116 in the player's hand are muted and a WILD indicia 146 is superimposed on the card.
FIG. 5 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 4 with the player using the touch-screen buttons (134, 136, 140) to elect to HOLD those cards (150, 152, 154). Initial cards 118 and 122 have been discarded.
FIG. 6 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 5 and shows the draw result, with replacement cards 160 (8 of Hearts) and 162 (Ace of Diamonds) being provided for the discarded cards. The final result of 4-of-a-Kind Aces is shown, and the win of 125 credits is displayed in the Credits Won box 110. The player's Total Credits 112 are now shown as 198 credits.
FIG. 7 illustrates a different embodiment, showing a video poker machine monitor screen 16, 18 with five touch-screen HOLD/DISCARD buttons for card play selection (134, 136, 138, 140, 142). The player has wagered 5 credits to play a 5-card player's hand of Jacks or Better poker as shown on the touch-screen button 104. The player has also wagered 10 credits as a Side Bet to play the wild card bonus option as shown on the touch-screen button 106. The wild card bonus option rules require that any matches between the player's hand and the house hand must include rank and suit only (not necessarily position). The Total Bet of 15 credits is shown in the box 108. A Credits Won box is shown 110, along with the player's Total Available Credits (65 credits after the 15 credit wager) 112. The result of the initial deal of the player's hand from a first deck of 52 cards is shown, with the 9 of Spades 170 in the first card position, the 5 of Hearts 172 in the second card position, the 4 of Clubs 174 in the third card position, the 2 of Spades 176 in the fourth card position, and the 7 of Diamonds 178 in the fifth card position. The wild card bonus option provides a 5-card house hand from a separate second 52-card deck, the result of which shows the 2 of Spades 180 in the first card position, the 5 of Hearts 182 in the second card position, the 8 of Clubs 184 in the third card position, the 10 of Hearts 186 in the fourth card position, and the Ace of Spades 188 in the fifth card position.
FIG. 8 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 7 with the 2 of Spades 180 in the house hand being highlighted 190 because it matches the rank and suit of the 2 of Spades 176 in the player's hand. The 5 of Hearts 182 in the house hand is highlighted 192 because it matches the rank and suit of the 5 of Hearts 172 in the player's hand. The graphics on the those said cards in the player's hand are muted and a WILD indicia 194 and 196 is superimposed on both cards.
FIG. 9 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 8 with the player using the touch-screen buttons (136 and 140) to elect to HOLD those cards (172 and 176). Initial cards 170, 174, 178 have been discarded.
FIG. 10 refers to the game elements shown in FIG. 9 and shows the draw result, with replacement cards 200 (10 of Diamonds), 202 (3 of Clubs) and 214 (8 of Spades) being provided for the discarded cards. The final result, of 3-of-a-Kind is shown, and the win of 15 credits is displayed in the Credits Won box 110. The player's Total Credits 112 are now shown as 80 credits.
at least one memory device storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the plurality of input devices and the at least one display device to:
(a) if a physical item associated with a monetary value is received by the acceptor, establish a credit balance based at least in part on the monetary value, wherein the physical item is one selected from the group consisting of: a ticket associated with the monetary value and currency;
(b) if an actuation of a wager button is received, place a wager, the wager being deductable from the credit balance;
(c) randomly generate and display an initial hand of a plurality of playing cards from a set of playing cards;
(d) before discarding any playing cards from the initial hand, for each of the displayed playing cards of the initial hand:
(i) randomly generate one of a plurality of different suit and value combinations;
(ii) display the randomly generated suit and value combination in association with said displayed playing card;
(iii) determine whether the displayed suit and value combination matches a playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card; and
(iv) if the displayed suit and value combination matches the playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card, change said displayed playing card into a wild playing card;
(e) after changing any displayed playing cards in the initial hand into the wild playing card, enable the player to select zero, one, or a plurality of the displayed playing cards in the initial hand to discard;
(f) discard any selected playing cards from the initial hand;
(g) replace any discarded playing cards with replacement playing cards from the playing cards remaining in the set of playing cards to form a final hand of playing cards and display the final hand;
(h) display any award associated with the final hand, the credit balance being increasable by any award; and
2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein one of the displayed suit and value combinations matches the playing card suit and value combination of one of the displayed playing cards of the initial hand when: (a) the suit of said displayed suit and value combination and the suit of the playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card are the same, and (b) the value of said displayed suit and value combination and the value of the playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card are the same.
3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to: (1) provide (d)(i) to (d)(iv) if an additional wager is received, and (2) not provide (d)(i) to (d)(iv) if the additional wager is not received.
(a) if a physical item associated with a monetary value is received by an acceptor of the gaming system, causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions stored in at least one memory device to establish a credit balance based at least in part on the monetary value, wherein the physical item is one selected from the group consisting of: a ticket associated with the monetary value and currency;
(b) if an actuation of a wager button is received, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to place a wager, the wager being deductable from the credit balance;
(c) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to randomly generate and operate with at least one display device to display an initial hand of a plurality of playing cards from a set of playing cards;
(i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to randomly generate one of a plurality of different suit and value combinations;
(ii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the randomly generated suit and value combination in association with said displayed playing card;
(iii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine whether the displayed suit and value combination matches a playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card; and
(iv) if the displayed suit and value combination matches the playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to change said displayed playing card into a wild playing card;
(e) after changing any displayed playing cards in the initial hand into the wild playing card, enabling the player to select zero, one, or a plurality of the displayed playing cards in the initial hand to discard;
(f) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to discard any selected playing cards from the initial hand;
(g) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to replace any discarded playing cards with replacement playing cards from the playing cards remaining in the set of playing cards to form a final hand of playing cards and display the final hand;
(h) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display any award associated with the final hand, the credit balance being increasable by any award; and
(i) if an actuation of a cashout button is received, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to initiate a payout associated with the credit balance.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein one of the displayed suit and value combinations matches the playing card suit and value combination of one of the displayed playing cards of the initial hand when: (a) the suit of said displayed suit and value combination and the suit of the playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card are the same, and (b) the value of said displayed suit and value combination and the value of the playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card are the same.
6. The method of claim 4, which includes providing (d)(i) to (d)(iv) if an additional wager is received and not providing (d)(i) to (d)(iv) if the additional wager is not received.
(d) generate two or more of a plurality of different suit and value combinations;
(e) display the generated suit and value combinations;
(f) for each of the displayed playing cards of the initial hand:
(i) determine whether any of the displayed suit and value combinations match a playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card; and
(ii) if one of the displayed suit and value combinations matches the playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card, change said displayed playing card into a wild playing card;
(g) after changing any displayed playing cards in the initial hand into the wild playing card, enable the player to select zero, one, or a plurality of the displayed playing cards in the initial hand to discard;
(h) discard any selected playing cards from the initial hand;
(i) replace any discarded playing cards with replacement playing cards from the playing cards remaining in the set of playing cards to form a final hand of playing cards and display the final hand, each replacement playing card having a replacement playing card suit and value combination;
(j) if the replacement playing card suit and value combination of any replacement playing card matches any of the displayed suit and value combinations, not change said replacement playing card into the wild playing card;
(k) display any award associated with the final hand, the credit balance being increasable by any award; and
(l) if an actuation of a cashout button is received, initiate a payout associated with the credit balance.
10. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein one of the displayed suit and value combinations matches the playing card suit and value combination of one of the displayed playing cards of the initial hand when: (a) the suit of said displayed suit and value combination and the suit of the playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card are the same, and (b) the value of said displayed suit and value combination and the value of the playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card are the same.
11. The gaming system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to: (1) provide (d) to (f) if an additional wager is received, and (2) not provide (d) to (f) if the additional wager is not received.
(a) if a physical item associated with a monetary value is received by an acceptor of the gaming system, causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions stored in at least one memory device to establish a credit balance based at least in part on the monetary value, wherein the physical item is one selected from the group consisting of a ticket associated with the monetary value and currency;
(d) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to generate two or more of a plurality of different suit and value combinations;
(e) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the generated suit and value combinations;
(i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine whether any of the displayed suit and value combinations match a playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card; and
(ii) if one of the displayed suit and value combinations matches the playing card suit and value combination of said displayed playing card, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to change said displayed playing card into a wild playing card;
(g) after changing any displayed playing cards in the initial hand into the wild playing card, enabling the player to select zero, one, or a plurality of the displayed playing cards in the initial hand to discard;
(h) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to discard any selected playing cards from the initial hand;
(i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to replace any discarded playing cards with replacement playing cards from the playing cards remaining in the set of playing cards to form a final hand of playing cards and display the final hand, each replacement playing card having a replacement playing card suit and value combination;
(j) if the replacement playing card suit and value combination of any replacement playing card matches any of the displayed suit and value combinations, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to not change said replacement playing card into the wild playing card;
(k) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display any award associated with the final hand, the credit balance being increasable by any award; and
(l) if an actuation of a cashout button is received, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to initiate a payout associated with the credit balance.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein one of the displayed suit and value combinations matches the playing card suit and value combination of one of the displayed playing cards of the initial hand when: (a) the suit of said displayed suit and value combination and the suit of the playing cad suit and value combination of said displayed playing card are the same, and (b) the value of said displayed suit and value combination and the value of the playing cad suit and value combination of said displayed playing card are the same.
14. The method of claim 12, which includes providing (d) to (f) if an additional wager is received, and not providing (d) to (f) if the additional wager is not received.
15. The method of claim 12, which is provided through a data network.
(i) an acceptor configured to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value, and
(ii) a cashout button actuatable to cause an initiation of a payout associated with a credit balance;
(a) if the physical item is received by the acceptor, establish the credit balance based at least in part on the monetary value, wherein the physical item is one selected from the group consisting of: a ticket associated with the monetary value and currency;
(d) for each of the displayed playing cards of the initial hand:
(i) generate one of a plurality of different suit and value combinations;
(ii) display the generated suit and value combination in association with said displayed playing card;
(g) replace any discarded playing cards with replacement playing cards from the playing cards remaining in the set of playing cards to form a final hand of playing cards and display the final hand, each replacement playing card having a replacement playing card suit and value combination;
(h) if the replacement playing card suit and value combination of any replacement playing card matches any of the displayed suit and value combinations, not change said replacement playing card into the wild playing card; and
(i) display any award associated with the final hand, the credit balance being increasable by any award; and
(j) if an actuation of the cashout button is received, initiate the payout.
following receipt, via an acceptor, of a physical item associated with a monetary value, the physical item selected from the group consisting of a ticket associated with the monetary value and currency, and establishment of a credit balance based at least in part on the monetary value, for a play of a poker game:
(a) if an actuation of a wager button is received, causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions stored in at least one memory device to place a wager, the wager being deductable from the credit balance;
(b) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to randomly generate and operate with at least one display device to display an initial hand of a plurality of playing cards from a set of playing cards;
(c) for each of the displayed playing cards of the initial hand:
(i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to generate one of a plurality of different suit and value combinations;
(ii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to display the generated suit and value combination in association with said displayed playing card;
(d) after changing any displayed playing cards in the initial hand into the wild playing card, enabling the player to select zero, one, or a plurality of the displayed playing cards in the initial hand to discard;
(e) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to discard any selected playing cards from the initial hand;
(f) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the at least one display device to replace any discarded playing cards with replacement playing cards from the playing cards remaining in the set of playing cards to form a final hand of playing cards and display the final hand, each replacement playing card having a replacement playing card suit and value combination;
(g) if the replacement playing card suit and value combination of any replacement playing card matches any of the displayed suit and value combinations, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to not change said replacement playing card into the wild playing card;
US13/901,271 2006-08-30 2013-05-23 Gaming system and method for providing automatic wild card assignment in video poker games Active US9251665B2 (en)
US84099306P true 2006-08-30 2006-08-30
US11/897,922 US8449362B2 (en) 2006-08-30 2007-08-30 Gaming system and method for providing automatic wild card assignment in video poker games
US13/901,271 US9251665B2 (en) 2006-08-30 2013-05-23 Gaming system and method for providing automatic wild card assignment in video poker games
US11/897,922 Continuation US8449362B2 (en) 2006-08-30 2007-08-30 Gaming system and method for providing automatic wild card assignment in video poker games
US20130260855A1 US20130260855A1 (en) 2013-10-03
US9251665B2 true US9251665B2 (en) 2016-02-02
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US11/897,922 Active 2030-10-14 US8449362B2 (en) 2006-08-30 2007-08-30 Gaming system and method for providing automatic wild card assignment in video poker games
US13/901,271 Active US9251665B2 (en) 2006-08-30 2013-05-23 Gaming system and method for providing automatic wild card assignment in video poker games
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Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:JACKSON, KATHLEEN NYLUND;REEL/FRAME:031499/0662
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:PRECEDENT GAMING, INC.;REEL/FRAME:031499/0756