Abstract: The invention introduces a new way of funding the collections in a player-banked game. The invention introduces a mandatory bonus bet, with sufficient advantage for the player-banker to cover the cost of the collections for all of the players. The invention also eliminates all the collections by everyone else at the table, thereby making the game seem more like a house-banked game. It does this while avoiding any changes to deciding who wins or the amount won on normal wagers. The bonus bet also gives the player a chance to win a larger payoff on a hand, thereby increasing the excitement of the game.

Abstract: A method of wagering for games where there can be more than one player hand dealt and each player hand is compared to a Dealer hand. The method of wagering adds an option to wager that the Dealer hand will beat a particular player hand, a wager that the Dealer hand will push with or tie a particular player hand, or both additional wagers. The method of wagering may be supported by a special layout for wagers on the Dealer hand, and this layout may be able to move around the table or it may be stationary.

Abstract: An improvement to two groups of wagering games with at least one player hand and a dealer hand. In one group, the gaming pieces in a hand are divided into two or more sub-hands. In the other group the games include a Reverse Bet and/or a Push Bet. Games may be in both groups. In the improved versions of these games, at least one type of wager has a minimum hand value, known as a qualifier. When a pre-specified hand has that hand value or higher, one method of settling wagers is used. Otherwise, a different method is used for settling at least one type of wager. Introducing this qualifier allows a casino to adjust the advantage for the dealer, making several desirable options practical for these games.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods of settling wagers in a game with one or more Player/Dealer pools. The invention includes a mechanism of specifying a subset of wagers that the Player/Dealer pool is used to settle. It also includes a method of limiting the amount of a player wager the Player/Dealer pool can win or not allowing the Player/Dealer pool to win any of the wager if it does contain enough funds to pay the maximum possible amount the player might win on that wager. It includes an optional mechanism to make these methods work effectively by settling wagers in two or more passes around the table.

Abstract: An improved method for playing Pai Gow poker that allows for designated player/dealer bets. A designated player/dealer bet being that a bank hand will beat a particular player hand in accordance with the rules of Pai-Gow poker.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods of settling wagers in a game with a Player/Dealer pool which entail reserving some of the funds in the Player/Dealer pool to pay bonuses and additional wagers and in some cases retiring more funds from the Player/Dealer pool than the amount won or lost. The invention also includes two optional mechanisms for implementing these methods. One method is a Base Bank and Reserve Bank where funds are reserved before any wagers are settled to pay bonuses and additional wagers. The other method is a Settlement Bank where the amount of funds to be retired is separated before wagers on a particular hand are settled.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for extracting heavy oil or bitumen contained in a reservoir. The invention involves directing the formation of a solvent fluid chamber through the combination of directed solvent fluid injection and production at combinations of horizontal and/or vertical injection wells so as to increase the recovery of heavy oil or bitumen contained in a reservoir. The wells are preferably provided with flow control devices to achieve uniform production.

Abstract: The invention provides an improved method for producing heavy oil or bitumen in a reservoir. The invention involves directing the formation of a solvent fluid chamber through the combination of directed solvent fluid injection and production at combinations of horizontal and/or vertical injection wells so as to increase the recovery of heavy oil or bitumen in a reservoir.