Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are described for shuffling a deck, group, stack or pile of cards. The cards are placed into a shuffler. The shuffler may be accessed under a lid, or via a slot or tray. Buttons, switches, or a touch screen and the like serve as an interface to access and control the shuffler. Cards are introduced into a substantially vertical shuffling chute. Cards are counted or audited. Sensors provide information as to the location of the cards. Static barriers and agitators encourage cards to remain in proper orientation and location. An elevator lifts cards from the shuffling chute. Sweeper arms or other mechanism manipulates the cards and returns the cards to a substantially horizontal orientation and exit position. Manual override is possible when errors are detected. Rubber-coated commodity rollers mountable to cantilevered axles engage and launch cards into the air when shuffled in the shuffling chute. Cards settle back into the stack of cards under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: Virtual game dealers based on artificial intelligence are described. In one implementation, an artificial intelligence (AI) engine tracks player attributes and game states of a given electronic game, such as a multiplayer electronic card game hosted by a virtual dealer. The virtual dealer may be embodied as a video, hologram, or robot. The AI engine selects speech and gestures for the virtual dealer based on the game states and player attributes. The player attributes may be retrieved from a player tracking system, from an identifier card carried by the player, and from machine perception of the player in real time. In one implementation, the AI engine determines emotions for the virtual dealer to portray, based on circumstances. Supported by the AI engine, the virtual dealer may personalize dialogue, provide information, and perform card and chip tricks.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods are described for shuffling a deck, group, stack or pile of cards. The cards are placed into a shuffler. The shuffler may be accessed under a lid, or via a slot or tray. Buttons, switches, or a touch screen and the like serve as an interface to access and control the shuffler. Cards are introduced into a substantially vertical shuffling chute. Cards are counted or audited. Sensors provide information as to the location of the cards. Static barriers and agitators encourage cards to remain in proper orientation and location. An elevator lifts cards from the shuffling chute. Sweeper arms or other mechanism manipulates the cards and returns the cards to a substantially horizontal orientation and exit position. Manual override is possible when errors are detected. Rubber-coated commodity rollers mountable to cantilevered axles engage and launch cards into the air when shuffled in the shuffling chute. Cards settle back into the stack of cards under the influence of gravity.

Abstract: A system receives standard game output consisting of electronic signals for displaying text, numbers, and machine sounds and converts these signals to animated behavior and animated speech of a virtual human bystander shown on the audio-visual display. An interface receives data communication representing standard game states and standard game output from a separate electronic game, and uses the input to drive a virtual assistant projector, which animates an automated virtual assistant on the audio-visual display. A game output converter translates standard game states and standard game output from the interface into animated behavior information and animated speech information for input to the virtual assistant projector. Computer processing of the system can be operationally and communicatively isolated from a main game engine of the electronic game table.

Abstract: Electronic gaming system with real playing cards and multiple player displays for virtual card and betting images. In one implementation, the exemplary system allows real playing cards to be used in electronic gaming systems that provide multiple video displays for multiple live participants at a gaming table. The system can post virtual images of the cards in play on the participant displays and can also display virtual bets, e.g., wagering chips, on the same displays. The real playing cards provide the look, feel, and action of playing a card game while the electronic gaming system provides elements of automation, security, and virtual display of the cards and bets.

Abstract: A system receives standard game output consisting of electronic signals for displaying text, numbers, and machine sounds and converts these signals to animated behavior and animated speech of a virtual human bystander shown on the audio-visual display. An interface receives data communication representing standard game states and standard game output from a separate electronic game, and uses the input to drive a virtual assistant projector, which animates an automated virtual assistant on the audio-visual display. A game output converter translates standard game states and standard game output from the interface into animated behavior information and animated speech information for input to the virtual assistant projector. Computer processing of the system can be operationally and communicatively isolated from a main game engine of the electronic game table.

Abstract: Electronic gaming systems with real playing cards and multiple player displays for virtual playing cards and betting images, are described. In one implementation, the exemplary system allows real playing cards to be used in electronic gaming systems that provide multiple video displays for multiple live participants at a gaming table. The system enables play with real playing cards, virtual playing cards, or both. An example system can post virtual images of the cards in play on the participant displays and can also display virtual bets, e.g., wagering chips, on the same displays, while also allowing and tracking real playing cards. The real playing cards provide the look, feel, and action of playing a card game with real cards, while the electronic gaming system provides elements of automation, security, and virtual display of the cards and bets.

Abstract: A multivariate poker game is provided. In an implementation, a multiplayer card game offers player-selectable sequences of play, including optional 3-card plays and 5-card plays, all within a single round of the card game. A player's choice can determine how the action branches into different subsequent plays. Each 3-card play and each 5-card play within a single round may give rise to corresponding wagers from a player. Real or virtual cards are dealt facedown to form a 5-card dealer hand and 5-card player hands for each participating player. In one example, play begins with optional 3-card hands blindly selected by each player from the player's facedown cards and resolved against a 3-card pay table.

Abstract: Systems and methods for playing live casino games. The systems have a casino table with changeable displays for players and a common or central display. The displays portray virtual playing cards or symbols to live participants. Shuffling, cutting, dealing, betting and return of playing cards are accomplished using data processing functions within an electronic game processor or processors which enable these functions to be performed quickly and without manual manipulation of playing cards. The invention allows casinos to speed play and reduce the risk of cheating while maintaining the attractive ambiance of a live table game. The systems can also be multi-user slot machines using the processor to associate or assign one or more symbols either with the virtual playing cards or as slot symbols in participant subsets. The participant subsets are compared to a predetermined list so that payoffs can be awarded on the basis of winning symbols or combinations of symbols.

Abstract: A virtual roulette game is provided. An example system models virtual roulette wheel operation and generates a repeating sequence of numbers associated with a rotating roulette wheel. Each roulette number is shown, in turn, across multiple individual player displays, effectively turning the collective displays into a view of the rotating virtual roulette wheel. A player may place many types of wagers on where a number or virtual roulette ball will end up. In one implementation, a player may be designated as the virtual roulette ball. The system may allow multiple virtual roulette balls to change odds or enable additional bets. Color-coded roulette balls may also provide rolled die outcome, so that roulette and dice games may be played simultaneously on the same setup. The player stations of multiple electronic game tables and multiple remote video displays may be collectively coupled to become a single virtual roulette wheel.

Abstract: Convertible rails for selecting player-tracking modes in an electronic game table are described. In one implementation, a rail or trim surrounds the periphery of the tabletop of an electronic game table. The rail has recessed bay openings for mounting user-interface hardware, such as for player-tracking. Player-tracking hardware may include, for example, touch-screen displays for manual input of user information, and player-identification card readers. A proprietor may install interchangeable rail section covers to expose some, all, or none of the bays. Thus, in a non-tracking mode, the bays may be covered, while in a tracking mode, some degree of player-tracking hardware mounted in the bays may be exposed to the user. In other implementations, interchangeable covers hide bays or expose hardware mounted on the tabletop itself.

Abstract: A removable player station and locking mechanism. In one implementation, a removable player station allows quick and secure replacement, swapping, and upgrade of a modular player station component for electronic games. In one context, an electronic game table may employ multiple of the removable player stations, each secured with a locking mechanism and a common or a unique lock. In one implementation of a latching mechanism, a pivotable cradle attaches to the electronic game or game table and seats the removable player station through a pivoting motion that also brings the cradle into a locking position. When the pivotable cradle is opened from the locking position, the cradle lifts the removable player station from the game or tabletop for easy manual removal. The accessible part of the locking mechanism may be located under an electronic game tabletop away from view of the players.

Abstract: Composite tabletops for electronic game tables are described. In one implementation, the composite tabletop has a channeled core layer sandwiched between a bottom layer and top layer. The channeled core layer is constructed of foam, so that the foam forms enclosure spaces for player stations, displays, user-interface hardware, central control/server hardware, and cooling equipment. The foam is also shaped to form duct spaces between each player station and a central space in the channeled core layer. The ducts can be used to route wires between each player station and the central space and to direct cooling air to or from each player station. The channeled core layer reduces time and labor during manufacture of an electronic game table and results in an electronic game table that is more lightweight for shipping, absorbs noise generated by enclosed hardware and electronics, absorbs shocks, and optimizes cooling of enclosed components.

Abstract: A Roll 21 game is described. In one implementation, an example game method for one or more players includes accepting a bet from each of the one or more players, and selecting one of the players to be the shooter to roll two dice for all the players. Each six-sided die has the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 distributed on respective sides. The shooter rolls the two dice in multiple dice rolls until a cumulative total of the rolls equals or exceeds 17 or, until all players have stood and no bonus bets have been placed that require further accumulation of dice points. After each roll, each player may stand at the current cumulative total of the dice rolls. Then, when the cumulative total of the rolls equals or exceeds 17 (unless, e.g., all players have previously stood), the shooter rolls a host die to obtain a host total. The single six-sided host die has the numbers 17, 18, 19, and 21 distributed on four of the six sides and the word “Bust” is distributed on two of the six sides.

Abstract: Electronic gaming system with real playing cards and multiple player displays for virtual card and betting images. In one implementation, the exemplary system allows real playing cards to be used in electronic gaming systems that provide multiple video displays for multiple live participants at a gaming table. The system can post virtual images of the cards in play on the participant displays and can also display virtual bets, e.g., wagering chips, on the same displays. The real playing cards provide the look, feel, and action of playing a card game while the electronic gaming system provides elements of automation, security, and virtual display of the cards and bets.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus and methods which include multiple virtual stacks of symbols, such as cards, numbers, picture symbols or other symbols. In one form each player has an individual virtual stack and the dealer has one stack. In another form each player has one stack and the dealer has individual virtual stacks for each player. In some preferred forms, the symbol sets for each participant are stripped or reduced during the game as various symbols are assigned thereto. Other alternatives are also described.

Abstract: A digital random outcome interactive display (“droid”) is provided. In one implementation, an example droid consists of a visual display accessory for a gaming environment, such as for conventional and electronic game tables in a casino. The droid can provide a random outcome for each round of a game being played. The random outcome may be displayed as virtual dice, coins, tiles, dominos, playing cards, numbered balls, spinner, roulette wheel, or combinations of such virtual game pieces. Droid devices may optionally be networked with each other to manage a progressive jackpot across multiple games and players, communicate identity of a winning player to multiple locations, broadcast an image, message, camera feed, video, sound, or television feed to multiple game locations, or administer side betting rounds and bonus rounds across multiple game locations. Droids networked with each other and a server may also provide interactive menus for services, food and drink, shopping, and Internet.

Abstract: Electronic game tables with multifunction legs are described. In one implementation, an electronic multiplayer game table includes a tabletop with player stations for an electronic betting game. Multifunction legs physically support the periphery of the tabletop, while electronic components for playing the betting game are mounted in the multifunction legs. For example, a multifunction leg may contain multiple currency detectors and coinless slot machine-style ticket printers/readers, so that each player at the game table has an exclusive currency detector and an exclusive ticket printer in close proximity. The multifunction legs may also include magnetic or smart card readers for transferring player, banking, and monetary information. In a variation, central control components of the electronic game table are also mounted in the legs. The multifunction legs can eliminate the need for a central support pedestal.

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for methods of playing a wagering game of chance, including defining a payout schedule, dealing an initial hand to at least one player, and accepting a final bet from the at least one player so as to define at least one final betting player. Other method steps include dealing one or more community cards, wherein at least one of the community card is selectively combined with at least one card within each initial hand such that a final hand is defined for each final betting player, and awarding a payout to each final betting player holding a final hand that so qualifies in accordance with the payout schedule. 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.