Patent ID: 8795061

Claim:
A system comprising: at least one processor; at least one interface configured to provide a communication link to at least one other network device in a gaming network; at least one memory device; and a gaming table comprising: (a) a media detector/reader configured to receive signals and obtain information from a player tracking device associated with a first player; and (b) a gaming chip tracking system configured to: (i) automatically detect wagering activity of the first player; (ii) automatically detect any gaming chips within a plurality of different gaming chip placement areas of the gaming table; (iii) automatically detect information relating to an amount and a value of each gaming chip within one of the gaming chip placement areas of the gaming table; and (iv) automatically detect information relating to a walk away amount associated with the first player; the system being configured to: (a) automatically detect, with the media detector/reader of the gaming table, the first player's presence at the gaming table; and (b) if a first set of criteria is satisfied, said first set of criteria being satisfied when: (i) the first player's presence is detected at the gaming table, and (ii) a designated quantity of gaming chips is detected within one or more gaming chip placement areas of the gaming table associated with the first player: (A) automatically initiate a player tracking session for the first player; and (B) track player rating information from at least the automatically detected information relating to the amount and the value of each gaming chip within the one of the gaming chip placement areas of the gaming table; wherein: the player tracking device is a handheld computing device configured to perform at least one of the following functions: (i) provide a first interface by which the first player selects cards for discarding or holding; (ii) provide a second interface by which the first player performs the wagering activity; (iii) initiating, suspending or ending a flat rate play session; (iv) display player account data; (v) display game play assistance information; (vi) display casino layout information; (vii) display promotional information; (viii) display multimedia information from external sources; (ix) notify the first player of messages; and (x) display the first player's current location.