Abstract: Gaming systems, methods, and devices for determining or verifying the outcome of a card game, for example the card game of Baccarat. The systems, methods, and devices can be used in conjunction with the card game to enhance security by optically imaging the hands of playing cards dealt or by optically reading a set of cards to determine the outcome of each game that can be played from that set of cards. The playing cards each have at least one encoded symbol comprised of machine-readable indicia. The gaming system can include a card shoe-reader alone, a card shoe-reader in combination with at least one card hand-reader, or various other embodiments to include other devices such as a discard reader or a bet recognition device. The optically imaged playing cards can be processed within a computing system to allow the authentication of the playing cards.

Abstract: A system reads an identifier from a hand of cards to identify the cards. For example, the system can read an identifier from a pair of cards forming the initial hand in blackjack, where the one card is face up and the other card is face down. The system determines the value of a hand of cards form the read identifiers. For example, the system can determine a value of an initial hand of two cards in blackjack, while only one card is face up. The system can inform a dealer of the value, or status based on value, of the hand. The system can determine whether cards forming a hand of cards are authentic by validating the cards based on the read identifier. The system can determine if the cards forming the hand of cards are in an expected sequence based on knowledge of the initial sequence of cards in a deck.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a limited-time bonus period are disclosed herein. According to one method, one or more triggering events are established for the gaming machines, wherein the triggering events are winning game outcomes. A gaming period is initiated on the gaming machines, wherein each gaming machine generates a game outcome. If necessary, a system host is notified that one or more triggering events have been satisfied. The gaming machines then receive instructions from the system host to initiate a limited-time bonus period, wherein the limited-time bonus period is presented on a player tracking and interactive system gaming devices on a selected number of gaming machines. A notification message is displayed on the gaming machines regarding the initiation of the first limited-time bonus period, and a prize is awarded if a winning outcome is achieved by one or more of the networked gaming machines during the first limited-time bonus period.

Abstract: The invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: A method for determining wagers by applying a chip denomination representation, having at least one angle associated with at least one color transition, against a working chip template. A related system includes, but is not limited to, circuitry and/or programming for effecting the foregoing-referenced method; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the foregoing-referenced method embodiments depending upon the design choices of the system designer.

Abstract: The invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player's prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses.

Abstract: A gaming machine has at least one video screen, but preferably three. One screen displays a primary game and the other two screens preferably display pay tables, a secondary game, or artwork related to the primary and/or secondary game. The content of the video screens is reconfigurable. The content may be downloaded over a network connecting a plurality of gaming machines to a central computer or the content of several different games may be stored locally within the gaming machine.

Abstract: A system automatically monitors playing and wagering of a game, including the gaming habits of players and the performance of employees at least partially by tracking the movement of chips bearing identifiers. A chip tray reader images the contents of a chip tray, while a table reader images chips on the gaming table. Chip identifiers may be associated with customer or player identifiers, the customer's or player's names may or may not be known. The system detects customer or player behavior such as prohibited playing and wagering patterns, and determines the win/loss percentage of the players and the dealer, as well as a number of other statistically relevant measures. The measurements provide automated security and real-time accounting. The measurements also provide a basis for automatically allocating complimentary player benefits.

Abstract: Playing cards from the input playing card receiver are allocated or directed between at least the first intermediary and the second intermediary playing card receivers based on an order in which the playing cards will be arranged at the playing card output receiver. The second intermediary playing card receiver may comprise an endless array of playing card receiving compartments mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. The first intermediary playing card receiver may comprise an annular array of playing card receiving compartments mounted pivotal movement about a second horizontal axis. The first intermediary playing card receiver may comprise a diagonal array of playing card receiving compartments mounted translation along a vertical axis.

Abstract: A system employs a server computing system with an integrated database and wireless communications devices, for example, handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs). The server computing system may also communicate with fully automated data collection systems associated with some gaming tables and/or with the casino's legacy data collection systems and databases. The server computing system may communicate with various non-gaming related casino systems, such as point-of-sale terminals and/or accounting systems, related to the various guest facilities, for example, allowing player comps to be freely exchanged for services and merchandise. The wireless communications devices permit remote wagering.