Method and device for playing a game with elimination

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for playing a card game with elimination in which players play against each other and can interact with one another to determine a player to be eliminated from the game. A predetermined number of game pieces are dealt to players of the game. Each player is given an opportunity to exchange at least one game piece with one of the players or with game pieces in a common area to form a hand with the dealt game pieces. The game pieces can be exchanged by buying, selling, auctioning or trading game pieces to or from one of the players. Players can play either against each other or the dealer with a hand having the highest value and the lowest value being determined by the dealer or the players. Play against more than one player can continue in a survivor fashion with the loser's hand leaving the game on each round until only one player remains.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to games, such as a card game, in which players play against each other and can interact with one another to determine a player to be eliminated from the game.

2. Description of Related Art

Variations in card games using card point values are known. In games such as black jack, a point value of cards is each player's hand is added together to determine the value of the hand after the player had the opportunity to be dealt additional cards. Different hands are compared to determine the winning hand, such as comparing the hand against the dealer hand.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,486 describes a method of playing a card game using a card number subtracting technique in which cards of the playing deck are assigned numerical point values. Eights, nines and tens are removed from the standard deck to establish a deck of forty cards. Each numbered card is assigned its point value. Each ace is assigned a value of one. Each face card is assigned a value of zero. Two cards are initially dealt to each player with each player having the option of receiving a third card. If a third card is dealt, one of the cards is discarded. The hands are compared to determine a winning hand as the hand in which the point value difference between the two cards in the hand is closest to zero.

It is desirable to provide a game for enhancing a player's interest.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method for playing a card game with elimination in which players play against each other and can interact with one another to determine a player to be eliminated from the game. A predetermined number of game pieces are dealt to players of the game. Each player is given an opportunity to exchange at least one game piece with one of the players or with game pieces in a common area to form a hand with the dealt game pieces. The game pieces can be exchanged by buying, selling, auctioning or trading game pieces to or from one of the players. The game pieces can be placed in a face-up position which reveals the value of the game piece or a face-down position which does not reveal the value of the game piece. In one embodiment, a hand can be selected from three game pieces. The game pieces can be, for example, a conventional deck of cards, Mah Jongg tiles, dice or dominoes. Players can play either against each other or the dealer with a hand having the highest value and the lowest value being determined by the dealer or the players.

Play against more than one player can continue in a survivor fashion with the loser's hand leaving the game on each round until only one player remains. A betting board can be used with the game.

The present invention provides combination of a game of strategy, i.e., poker with a bargaining feature. The bargaining feature can operate to change the skill level of the players, the level of chance of receiving game pieces and allows cooperation between players to advance or reduce hands of other players.

The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for playing a game.

FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of the game during play of a three card poker game.

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of the game during play of a five card poker game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for playing a game with elimination 10. In block 12, a predetermined number of game pieces are dealt to one or more game players. For example, a number of game pieces to formulate a potential hand or a full hand can be dealt to the one or more game players. In a preferred embodiment, three or more game players are dealt game pieces. For example, two, three, four, five, six or seven game pieces could be dealt. In one embodiment, more game pieces than a determined hand for a game are dealt and a player can select the game pieces to be used in the hand. For example, seven game pieces are dealt to each player and the best five are selected.

For example, game pieces can be from a conventional deck of cards or ten cards or subset thereof, such as an ace, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten. In an alternate embodiment, Mah Jongg tiles can be used as game pieces. A number of Mah Jongg tiles are dealt to a player. Each of the Mah Jongg tiles is assigned the same point value as the values on the face of the Mah Jongg tiles.

Alternatively, the game pieces can be one or more dominoes or die. The assigned point values of the game pieces are determined by the corresponding numbers of dots or numbers on the game pieces. In one embodiment, a predetermined number of dice are rolled for each player. For example, the number of dice can be two through six die.

Optionally, a common game piece for all players is dealt. The common game piece is used in each of the players' hand as one of the game pieces determining a hand of each player. The common game piece can be dealt before or after dealing of game pieces to the players.

In one embodiment, each of the game pieces are dealt face up to reveal the value of the game pieces. In an alternate embodiment, at least one of the game pieces are dealt face down so as not to reveal the value of the game piece.

In block 13, a predetermined number of game pieces are placed in a common area. The game pieces can be placed face up to reveal the value of the game piece or face down to not reveal the value of the game piece. The game pieces can be placed in the common area before or after the game pieces are dealt to the one or more players.

In block 14, the one or more players in a predetermined order can trade one of their game pieces with a game piece from the common area. For example, the order can be determined to allow the player with a dealt hand of lowest value to select from the common area first. Thereafter, the selection from the common area continues from the hand with the lowest value to the hand with the highest value until all game players have had the opportunity to select from the common area if desired. Alternatively, a spinner or dice could be used to determine the order of players to select game pieces from the common area.

In block 15, the game players in a predetermined order exchange one or more game pieces to or from another player for improving their hand and/or reducing the value of another player's hand. The game pieces can be exchanged by trading, buying, selling or auctioning.

In block 16, a determination is made of the hand with the lowest value. In block 17, the game player corresponding to the hand with the lowest value is eliminated from the game. Blocks 12-17 can be repeated in a survivor fashion with the loser's hand leaving the game on each round until only one player remains.

FIG. 2A-2B illustrate game table 20 which can be used with method for playing a game with elimination 10. For example, a game of 3, 5 or 7 card poker can be played using method 10. Common game piece 21 is dealt to position 22. First game pieces 24a-24n are dealt to respective players at position 23. Thereafter, game pieces 25a-25n are dealt to respective players. Game pieces 24a-24n or 25a-25n can be dealt face-up to reveal the value of the game piece or face-down to not reveal the value of the game piece. For a game of 3-card poker, shown in FIG. 2A, each player can form a hand including common game piece 21 and respective game pieces 24a-24n and respective game pieces 25a-25n. Depending on the value of the formed hand, a player can decide to buy, sell, auction or trade one of their respective game pieces 24a-24n or respective game pieces 25a-25n with one of game pieces 30a-30n in common area 31. In one embodiment, the order of the players for making selections from common area 31 can be determined by the value of the hand formed including common game piece 21, respective game pieces 24a-24n and respective game pieces 25a-25n. For example, the player having the lowest value of the formed hand can select a game piece from common area 31 or opt not to select a game piece from common area 31.

Thereafter, players can buy, sell, auction or trade a predetermined number of respective game pieces 24a-24n and respective game pieces 25a-25n to or from another player for improving their hand or reducing the value of another player's hand. For example, each player can buy, sell, auction or trade one of their respective game pieces 24a-24n and respective game pieces 25a-25n to or from one of the players. Thereafter, a determination is made of the hand with the lowest value and the game player corresponding to the hand with the lowest value is eliminated from the game.

Betting can take place using betting board 20. Betting board 20 can be a gaming table. A dealer places a predetermined number of game pieces on betting board 20 at position 23, as described above according to block 12. Optionally, a predetermined number of game pieces are placed in common area 31, according to block 14. In one embodiment, betting board 20 is mechanically and/or electronically activated. Alternatively, betting board 20 can be a video display and the game pieces are randomly selected and displayed on the video display. A player places a bet in betting location 32a-32n before, during or after selection of a hand. In one embodiment, a bonus wager can be placed in betting locations 34a-34n before block 12. One of the hands can be selected to have a bonus feature before selection of the hand for play. Alternatively, a bonus wager can be made on a certain combination of game pieces which can be determined from one of hands. For example, the certain combination of game pieces can be three of a kind. If the selected hand includes the bonus feature, the player is a winner. The bonus feature can be selected before the dealer places the game pieces on betting board 20. Block 15 is performed to allow players to buy, sell, auction or trade a predetermined number of respective game pieces 24a-24n and respective game pieces 25a-25n to or from another player for improving their hand or reducing the value of another player's hand. Block 16 is performed to determine a value for each hand. In one embodiment, betting board 20 includes processing capability for determining the value of hands. A player wins if their hand has the highest determined point value and the player earns a predetermined payout. A player loses if their hand has the lowest determined point value and their bet is removed from the table. In one embodiment, the player that is determined to be the loser pays a payout to all other players. The bets in betting locations 32a-32n having hands not eliminated from the game remain in the respective betting locations 32a-32n. Betting continues and blocks 12-17 are repeated.

For example, the payout can be equal to the amount bet or can be greater than the amount bet, such as paying out 3 to 1 odds. In one embodiment, the payout is based on the value of the hand. In one embodiment, the odds of winning the game may be made more in favor of the house. For example, a winning player will be paid less than the true odds of the bet in order to allow the house or casino to profit from hosting the game. In another embodiment, the house can take a commission on all winning players, for example, 5% of the winnings. In one embodiment, the game is played in a casino. Alternatively the game can be played on a video machine or over the Internet.

In an alternative embodiment, for a game of 5-card poker, shown in FIG. 2B, each player can form a hand including common game pieces 21, respective game pieces 24a-24n, respective game pieces 25a-25n, respective game pieces 26a-26n, and respective game pieces 27a-27n. Depending on the value of the formed hand, a player can decide to buy, sell, auction or trade one of their respective game pieces 24a-24n, respective game pieces 25a-25n, respective game pieces 26a-26n, and respective game pieces 27a-27n. In one embodiment, after being dealt respective games pieces 24a-24n and respective game pieces 25a-25n, players can buy, sell, auction or trade a predetermined number of respective game pieces 24a-24n and respective game pieces 25a-25n to or from another player for improving their hand or reducing the value of another player's hand. Thereafter, after being dealt respective game pieces 26a-26n and/or respective game pieces 27a-27n, players can buy, sell, auction or trade a predetermined number of respective game pieces 24a-24n and respective game pieces 25a-25n, respective game pieces 26a-26n and respective game pieces 27a-27n to or from another player for improving their hand or reducing the value of another player's hand. A determination is made of the hand with the lowest value. The game player corresponding to the hand with the lowest value is eliminated from the game.

In alternate embodiments, hands can be made up of two, four, or six or any combination of game pieces. In alternate embodiments, other card games, for example, a game of hearts or bridge can be played using game table 20 and predetermined number of game pieces.

In one embodiment, trades of game pieces cost a payment to the other players or the dealer. In one embodiment, selection of cards from the common area costs a payment to the other players or dealer.

In one embodiment, an auction is set up between a plurality of players which desire a game piece. A player indicating a highest payment for the game piece is awarded the game piece. The awarded game piece can be traded for one of the dealt game pieces.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for playing a game comprising the steps of:

a) dealing a predetermined number of game pieces to three or more players;

b) providing an opportunity for each of said players for exchanging at least one of said game pieces with one of said players or with game pieces in a common area to form a respective hand with at least one of said dealt game pieces;

c) determining said hand having a lowest value; and

d) eliminating said player from the game having said determined hand having a lowest value.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein one of said game pieces is dealt in a common area as a common game piece, said game piece being used in forming said hand for each of said players.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

each said player placing one or more bets before determining the hand having the lowest value.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein a player having said hand having the lowest value pays a payout to each of a said other players.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the payout is equal to an amount of the bet.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein the payout is greater than an amount of the bet.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

determining a hand having a value which is highest and paying a payout to said player having said hand having a value which is the highest.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein two game pieces and said common game piece are dealt and the game is three card poker.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein four game pieces and said common game piece are dealt and the game is five card poker.

10. The method of claim 2 wherein six game pieces and said common game piece are dealt and the game is seven card poker.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the game pieces are one or more cards of a deck of 52 cards, the lowest value of the hand being matched to a lowest value of a conventional card game.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the game pieces are one or more die, each face of the die is assigned a point value equaling the dots, the lowest value of the hand being determined from a total of the assigned point values for an upward face of each of the one or more die.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the game pieces are one or more Mah Jongg tiles, each type of Mah Jongg tile is assigned a point value being determined from symbols on the Mah Jongg tile, the value of the hand being a total of the assigned point values.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said game pieces is placed in a face-up position and at least one of said game pieces is placed in a face-down position.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of before step a):

selecting a hand of game pieces to have a bonus feature; and

after step a) determining if the selected hand of game pieces to have a bonus feature has said bonus feature.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of operating the game on a video machine.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising operation the game through a data network.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the data network is the Internet.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein steps a)-d) are repeated until only one player remains.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of exchanging at least one of said game pieces comprises buying, selling, auctioning, or trading said at least one of said game pieces to or from another of said players.

21. A device for playing a game comprising:

a playing area having one or more first betting locations configured to receive one or more bets;

a dealer station having a position for receiving a predetermined number of game pieces for three or more players;

a common area for receiving one or more game pieces;

optionally a common game piece area for receiving one common game pieces; and

means for providing an opportunity for each of said players for exchanging at least one of said game pieces with one of said players or with game pieces in said common area to form a respective hand with at least one of said received game pieces.

22. The device of claim 21 further comprising:

a controller for selecting one or more of said game pieces.

23. The device of claim 21 wherein said controller comprises a video display having a touch surface marked with positions of game pieces and after one of said game pieces is selected with said controller, said corresponding one of said positions of game pieces is displayed on said touch surface.

24. The device of claim 21 further comprising one or more second betting locations configured to receive one or more bets of a bonus feature.

25. The device of claim 21 wherein the betting locations and said dealer station are located on a gaming table.

26. The device of claim 21 wherein the game is played in a casino.

27. The device of claim 21 wherein the game is played on a video machine.

28. The device of claim 21 wherein the game is played over a data network.

29. The device of claim 28 wherein the data network is the Internet.