Patent ID: 8105168

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: (a) retrieving from a non-transitory computer-readable medium, the identity of a plurality of sequentially arranged virtual playing instruments, wherein the sequential arrangement of the playing instruments has been determined by a method comprising: (i) physically randomizing a plurality of physical playing instruments, wherein each playing instrument comprises at least one identifier; wherein a random number generator is not utilized to determine the randomness of the physical playing instruments; (ii) electronically determining the identity of at least two playing instruments in a sequential order before initiation of a game; and (iii) electronically storing the sequential order of the at least two physical playing instruments on one or more non-transitory computer-readable mediums to create a virtual deck of virtual playing instruments; (b) receiving an electronic signal through a network from at least one user comprising a user input selected from the group consisting of: (i) a user input configured to cut the virtual deck of virtual playing instruments, thereby determining the initiation point for distribution of at least two virtual playing instruments; and (ii) a user input configured to indicate the at least one user does not wish to cut the virtual deck, wherein the receipt of the electronic signal is configured to detect utilization of remote automated programs; and (c) initiating a game according to pre-defined rules that include the distribution of the at least two virtual playing instruments from the virtual deck in sequential order based upon the user input to one or more players.