Abstract: A game machine which includes a playing field traversed by objects, such as balls or other traversing bodies. A preferred form includes a playing field with a maze, such as of deflectors, and plural drop zones which can be selected by the player that control where the balls are launched. Detectors indicate scoring positions assumed by the balls or other traversing objects. A payline display may be included to display scored events. A symbol selector is included to select symbols which are variably assigned to the scoring positions. To eliminate possible bias due to wear and other causes the detectors are assigned individual symbols in a manner that produces equal frequencies of appearance in each of the detection positions. Scored symbols may be displayed in one or more payline displays and affect winning or bonus play.

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for methods of playing a wagering game of chance, including dealing an initial hand in a face-up condition to at least one player, and accepting a final bet into a pot thus defining at least one final betting player. The method also includes dealing one or more community cards in a face-up condition, wherein at least one community card is selectively combined with at least one card within each initial hand to define a final hand for each final betting player. The method further includes awarding at least a portion of the pot to any final betting player having a best final hand that comprises a predefined qualifying hand or better. Other embodiments provide for respective gaming tables and individual gaming machines including respectively electronic controllers, each controller configured to execute one or more method steps in accordance with the present embodiments provided for herein.

Abstract: Methods for purchasing of goods or services over the internet. A customer has a customer account set up at a bank with associated account information. The account information includes verification information for verification parameters, such as authorized computer identification, authorized delivery addresses, authorized user identification, authorized telephone caller identification, and/or other account information. An order is placed by a user via an ordering computer which provides order information. Such order information includes verification variables used by the bank. Verification and/or authentication using one or more variables of the customer account information is used by the bank to validate the order before assuring payment to the merchant.

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide a method for playing a poker game, comprising defining a qualifying hand and dealing an initial hand to each of one or more players. The method includes accepting an initial bet into a pot from at least one of the players, dealing at least one additional card to each betting player, and awarding the pot to any betting player who has a best hand that comprises a qualifying hand. In the alternative, if no player has a qualifying hand, the method repeats the dealing of an initial hand, and the accepting an initial bet, and the dealing of at least one additional card, while including in the pot any previously un-awarded pot or pots until the pot is awarded in accordance with a qualifying hand. Also provided are a gaming table and individual gaming machines for playing the poker games of the present invention.

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide a method for playing poker, including defining a qualifying hand and collecting an ante from one or more players. The method also includes dealing an initial hand to each player, accepting a bet into a pot from at least one player, and dealing at least one additional card to the betting players. The method includes awarding the pot to a player who has a lowest qualifying according to a lo-ball ranking of poker hands. If no player has a qualifying hand, the method includes repeating collecting an ante and dealing an initial hand and accepting a bet and dealing at least one additional card, and including in the pot at least a portion of any previously unawarded pot or pots until the pot is awarded. Also provided are a gaming table and individual gaming machines for playing the poker games of the present invention.