Abstract: A poker-type card game comprises at least one player making at least one ante wager in the poker-type game at least against a dealer's hand. The player receives a first number of cards and the dealer receives a second number of cards that is at least one card more then the number of cards received by the player. A set of community cards is provided that are used by the dealer and the player. One of the dealer's cards is exposed to the table to provide an exposed dealer card. The dealer is compelled to discard the exposed dealer's card if the rank of the exposed dealer's card is within a first range of values and the dealer is compelled to discard an unexposed dealer's card if the exposed dealer's card is within a second range of values. After resolving the status of the dealer's hand, the player may be allowed to amend the initial one ante wager.

Abstract: A method and apparatus determines an identity of at least each card in a card hand at a casino table card game. The method is performed automatically by a computer-based system that reads the rank and suit of each card that leaves a dealing shoe and then uses a smart discard tray that reads the discards as they are taken from the table. It is optional and preferred to provide a signal to the computer of the presence of at least one card in the dealer's hand. Additional cards are dealt to hands. Exhausted hands are removed from the table and placed into a discard rack. Each card in each exhausted hand is read when placed in the discard rack to determine rank and suit of each placed card, and the computer reconciles cards placed in the discard rack with cards that left the dealing shoe.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of cards. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus delivers subsets of randomly mixed playing cards from a first group of playing cards. At least one first group of multiple playing cards is provided to a playing card randomizing apparatus. Ar least one subset of randomized playing cards is formed within the apparatus from the first group of playing cards. A first subset of randomized playing cards for use in a card game is delivered to a single delivery tray. The first subset of playing cards delivered to the single delivery tray as a whole (all of the cards in the subset). At least one additional subset of playing cards is formed within the card randomization apparatus from remaining cards from the first group of playing cards. Upon manual removal of the first subset of playing cards from the single delivery tray, the apparatus delivers the at least one additional subset of randomly mixed playing cards into the single delivery tray as a second group of playing cards.

Abstract: A card shuffling device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing or arranging system for the initial set of playing cards, a collection surface in a card collection area for receiving randomized playing cards, the collection surface receiving cards positioned so that all cards collected are below the top surface of the device, and an elevator for raising the collection surface so that at least some randomized cards are elevated above the top surface of the device. An automatic card shuffler includes a microprocessor with memory. An automated calibration system is provided that calibrates the precise position of the card supporting platform in the elevator so that precise insertion of cards can be performed during card handling procedures.

Abstract: A distinct dealing shoe having no shuffling functionality receives shuffled, randomized or ordered group of cards. The cards may be mechanically moved one at a time from a receiving area for the deck to a buffer area where more than one card is temporarily stored. The cards in the buffer area are then mechanically moved to a card delivery area where the cards may be manually removed, one-at-a-time, by a dealer. The cards are read one-at-a-time inside of the dealing shoe, either before the buffer area or after leaving the buffer area, but preferably before the cards are being manually removed from the card delivery area. The information from the card reading may be used for game tracking, hand tracking, player information, and other security issues at casino table card games.

Abstract: A method of playing a casino table poker-type game comprises a player placing an Ante wager on the poker-type game. The dealer provides at least one hand to the player placing the wager on the poker-type game and at least two hands to the dealer. The player elects to a) fold, b) place a wager to compete against less then all dealer hands, or c) placing a wager to compete against all dealer hands. After the election has been made by the player, the dealer discloses all of the dealer's at least two hands. Wagers made in accordance with b) and c) are resolved.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of play in the practice of the present invention that are described below. An apparatus supporting the play of a casino table card game according to the present invention may comprise: A playing surface; A card-delivery device; A microprocessor operatively connected to the card-delivery device; Player controlled election identifiers that provide a visible signal of an election; At least two areas for display of at least partial card hands from which only one card hand may be elected for a wagering game by a player; The card-delivery device having at least one sensor thereon for sensing the presence of cards in a delivery area of the card-delivery device from which cards may be removed; The at least one sensor on the card-delivery device providing a signal to the microprocessor that a sensed set of cards has been removed from the delivery area; and in response to the signal, the microprocessor preventing players from entering a new election.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering card game for a number of player using standard playing cards having a standard rank and involving standard poker hand rankings comprises: each player placing at least four distinct wagering parts to participate in the game; dealing three cards to each player and at least two common cards, all of the at least two common cards being dealt face down; giving each player the chance to examine the cards received by that player and to withdraw at least a first part of the at least four distinct wagering parts wager based on the rank of the player's cards prior to one of the at least two common cards being dealt face down being exposed; showing the at least one common card, thereby providing at least a partial hand for each player, each player's at least a partial hand comprising the shown at least one common card and the cards each player was dealt; allowing each player to withdraw a second part of the at least four wagering parts and forfeiting a third part of the at least four wager

Abstract: A method of playing a casino table wagering game with at least two players comprises wagering on an underlying game where players may receive a bonus for obtaining a player hand of at least a predetermined rank; placing a side bet that at least one player of the at least two players will obtain a player hand of at least a predetermined rank; playing a hand of the casino table wagering game to conclusion; determining if at least one of the at least two players has obtained a player hand of said at least a predetermined rank; if a player has not obtained a player hand of at least a predetermined rank, but that player has placed the side bet that at least one player of the at least two players will obtain a player hand of at least a predetermined rank, and if another player has obtained a player hand of at least a predetermined rank, awarding that player a predetermined proportional share of the bonus for obtaining a player hand of at least a predetermined rank.

Abstract: A card shuffler with a drivable shuffling storage means (2?) which is provided with compartments (69) for receiving cards (13) and which is associated with an input apparatus for inserting cards into the compartments (69) one by one and an output storage means which is spaced from the same for the shuffled cards, with the drive of the shuffling storage means (2?), the input apparatus and the output storage means being controlled by an electronic control system.

Abstract: An underlying game of Blackjack or a variant of Blackjack is played with an initial wager by a player on the underlying game and an optional wager on a side game can be made. The side wager is made before any cards are displayed. Specially marked cards with count values replace standard cards having the same count value and the side wager is paid on the appearance of the specially marked cards in the play of the game. The number of specially marked cards may vary over time.

Abstract: A gaming system simulates complete play of events in a casino table card wagering game, such as blackjack, poker, poker variants, baccarat, and other wagering games where there has traditionally been a dealer, whether or not the dealer is an active player in the game. Two distinct video areas are preferably provided, one relatively upright video display providing video images of a virtual dealer, and the second relatively horizontal video display providing a simulation of a table top for player cards, and optionally also dealer cards. The players have individual play areas with player input, and these play areas have individual processing intelligence that communicates directly with at least one processor in a novel manner.

Abstract: A player-banked casino game utilizes at least one deck of playing cards, the game comprising: each player placing at least one wager to participate in the casino game; dealing a first number of cards to a dealer as a banker's hand, the first number of cards being greater than the number of cards to be used in determination of a poker rank hand for the banker's hand; dealing a second number of cards to each player, the second number of cards being greater than the number of cards to be used in determination of a poker rank hand for each player; the dealer discarding at least one card from the banker's hand to form a resulting single dealer hand; each player discarding at least one card to form a resulting player's hand for each player, wherein the number of cards in resulting player's hands and the resulting banker's hand are equal; and resolving each player hand against the banker's hand according to predetermined game rules.

Abstract: An underlying game of Blackjack or a variant of Blackjack is played with an initial wager by a player on the underlying game and an optional wager on a side game can be made. The side wager is made before any cards are displayed. The side wager is made on whether a specific rank of card will be shown in either of the two player's cards (the player who has made the wager) or in the dealer's exposed card. The probabilities of a specific rank of a card (as opposed to value of card, which would render 10's, Jacks, Queens and Kings equivalent) is the same, whichever card is selected, but a preferred game from an advertising standpoint, marketing standpoint or the like is the use of Jacks, with the game titled Jack Magic™ blackjack or Jacks Magic™ blackjack. The player places a wager on an identified wager area, and after the player's cards and the dealer's cards have been dealt, the wager is resolved according to the rules of the game.

Abstract: A casino game is provided that can be played on a gaming table with a base game wager and an optional side bet bonus wager. The game is preferably a Baccarat derivative or Mini-Baccarat derivative, wherein there is at least one potential payout on the side bet bonus wager in addition to normal play of the game. One payoff for wagering on a winning hand in the side bet bonus wager (either the player's hand or a banker's hand) is based upon the hand that is wagered upon having a natural (two-card) 8-count or 9-count. A second potential payout on the side bet bonus wager is based upon the size of the difference between player hand point count and dealer hand point counts. Alternatively, the bonus hand pays only for the highest payout.

Abstract: A card shuffling device reads suit and value of individual cards that are moved through the card shuffler. Reading of the cards is effected after cards have been received into a card holding area and before cards have been delivered into a card collection area from which cards are removed from the device for use.

Abstract: A casino game is provided that can be played on a gaming table with a base game wager and an optional side bet bonus wager. The game is preferably a Baccarat derivative or Mini-Baccarat derivative, wherein there is at least one potential payout on the side bet bonus wager in addition to normal play of the game. One payoff for wagering on a winning hand in the side bet bonus wager (either the player's hand or a banker's hand) is based upon the hand that is wagered upon having a natural (two-card) 8-count or 9-count. A second potential payout on the side bet bonus wager is based upon the size of the difference between player hand point count and dealer hand point counts. Alternatively, the bonus hand pays only for the highest payout.

Abstract: A method of playing a casino table wagering game with at least two players comprises wagering on an underlying game where players may receive a bonus for obtaining a player hand of at least a predetermined rank; placing a side bet that at least one player of the at least two players will obtain a player hand of at least a predetermined rank; playing a hand of the casino table wagering game to conclusion; determining if at least one of the at least two players has obtained a player hand of said at least a predetermined rank; if a player has not obtained a player hand of at least a predetermined rank, but that player has placed the side bet that at least one player of the at least two players will obtain a player hand of at least a predetermined rank, and if another player has obtained a player hand of at least a predetermined rank, awarding that player a predetermined proportional share of the bonus for obtaining a player hand of at least a predetermined rank.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering card game for a number of player using standard playing cards having a standard rank and involving standard poker hand rankings comprises: each player placing at least four distinct wagering parts to participate in the game; dealing three cards to each player and at least two common cards, all of the at least two common cards being dealt face down; giving each player the chance to examine the cards received by that player and to withdraw at least a first part of the at least four distinct wagering parts wager based on the rank of the player's cards prior to one of the at least two common cards being dealt face down being exposed; showing the at least one common card, thereby providing at least a partial hand for each player, each player's at least a partial hand comprising the shown at least one common card and the cards each player was dealt; allowing each player to withdraw a second part of the at least four wagering parts and forfeiting a third part of the at least four wager