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: 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 he 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 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 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 gaming apparatus has the ability to provide multiple winning events in a single play of an event. The apparatus may have a housing with a microprocessor, a first gaming display that displays at least one symbol from a first set of symbols, wherein predetermined symbol displays provide a first award. There is also a second gaming display that coincidently displays at least one separate symbol selected from among symbols within the first set of symbols. The gaming apparatus awards a second prize when the at least one separate symbol matches at least one symbol from among the symbol or symbols displayed in the first gaming display. The display for the second set of symbols is preferably active while the first gaming display is actively presenting the first set of symbols.

Abstract: A method of playing a game on a gaming machine is performed by placing a wager on an underlying wagering game and playing the underlying wagering game according to the rules of the underlying game. When a predetermined event occurs in the underlying game, the player enters at least one bonus game. The bonus game may have at least one event where a) an animated event proceeds to a conclusion and an original bonus that increments or decrements with the proceeding of that animated event, and b) using a sequential set of displays to determine a number of spins to be used in a bonus round and to determine a multiplication factor to be used in spins to be used in the bonus round.

Abstract: A method of playing a poker-type wagering game is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: a) placing a mandatory Ante bet to participate in a poker-type card game against a dealer hand; b) placing a mandatory Super Bonus bet on the occurrence of one of a predetermined plurality of winning poker hands; c) a dealer dealing at least two hands of cards to the dealer position and a hand of cards to each player participating in the game; d) and when the dealer's first hand meets or exceeds a predetermined high ranking hand value, discarding the first hand and playing the second hand; e) each player placing an additional mandatory Bet after viewing at least the player's hand of cards to stay in the game; f) resolving each player hand against the dealer hand; g) paying the player on the Ante and Bet if the player's hand ranking exceeds that of the dealer; and h) paying the player on the Super Bonus bet if the player hand is one of a plurality of predetermined winning poker hands.

Abstract: A casino wagering game, comprises 1) placing a wager to participate in the game; 2) a dealer dealing a hand of three cards to each player who placed a wager; 3) resolving the player hands against a plurality of predetermined winning poker outcomes; and 4) paying each player odds whose hand consists of a predetermined winning outcome. The present invention comprises a casino style wagering game against a dealer, comprising the steps of placing a wager, dealing a three card poker hand to each player, dealing at least three cards to the dealer, and paying the player on the bet when a poker rank of his hand exceeds the rank of a dealer's hand. In a preferred form of the invention, the hierarchy of poker hand ranking differs from that of standard five card poker.

Abstract: A card handling device having either a vertical stack of compartments or a carousel of compartments is used to receive individual cards from a card supply. The compartments may be moved relative to the card supply, preferably in two different directions, such as up and down or clockwise and counterclockwise. The card handling may include shuffling, sorting, validation, and other playing card processes.

Abstract: A method of playing a casino table card game with a bonus event has a player placing a first wager on a casino table card game; providing a hand of cards to the player; determining if the hand of cards provided to a player is within a definition of specific triggering events; if the hand is determined to be within the definition of specific triggering events, allowing the player to enter a bonus game; the player enters at least one bonus game where a random symbol is displayed on a visual display device associated with the casino table, the random symbols identifying an award of an absolute amount of value or a factor that is used to increase a base amount; and resolving all wagers and awards for the player. An apparatus for implementing the method is also shown.

Abstract: A reel slot casino wagering apparatus comprises a housing having at least three displayed reels thereon, each reel having symbols, characters or alphanumerics that are displayed, a wager entering system, a CPU and a sound system. The CPU has software and/or hardware that provides distinctly different audio signals for at least one of 1) availability of the apparatus to start a new wagering game, 2) presence of bet credits, 3) amount of bet credits available, 4) number or amount of bet credits wagered or coins or token wagered, 5) revelation of a non-payout configuration, 6) position of only particular symbols where the total configuration of all symbols does not provide a payout, 7) size of a payout inclusive of payouts for non-jackpot awards, 8) denomination of currency or credits deposited, and 9) denoting one or more game losses.

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 card shuffling device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing system for randomizing 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.

Abstract: A card shuffling device includes a top surface, a card receiving area for receiving an initial set of playing cards, a randomizing system for randomizing 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides an architecture and method for a gaming-specific platform that features secure storage and verification of game code and other data, provides the ability to securely exchange data with a computerized wagering gaming system, and does so in a manner that is straightforward and easy to manage. Some embodiments of the invention provide the ability to identify game program code as certified or approved, such as by the Nevada Gaming Regulations Commission or other regulatory agency. The invention provides these and other functions by encrypting a random number, storing the encrypted random number, and hashing the random number and a casino game data set to provide a first bit string, and storing the first bit string.

Abstract: The present invention provides an architecture and method for a gaming-specific platform that features secure storage and verification of game code and other data, provides the ability to securely exchange data with a computerized wagering gaming system, and does so in a manner that is straightforward and easy to manage. Some embodiments of the invention provide the ability to identify game program code as certified or approved, such as by the Nevada Gaming Regulations Commission or other regulatory agency. The invention provides these and other functions by encrypting a random number, storing the encrypted random number, and hashing the random number and a casino game data set to provide a first bit string, and storing the first bit string.

Abstract: A novel element in the play of a variant of Blackjack or twenty-One includes allowing a player to split off a single card after taking a hit when the hit card matches an earlier dealt card, such as one or the other of the two first cards in the original hand or another hit card. It is preferred that the game is played so that a single card may be split off after taking a hit when the last hit card of a player matches the value of the previous card dealt to that player. The split off of a card preferably may not be exercised when the player's last hit broke or busted the player's hand.

Abstract: Hardware, systems, devices, architecture and methods for a wagering game specific platform features secure storage and verification of game code and/or other data. An external connection securely communicates with a computerized wagering gaming system. Some embodiments of the invention provide the ability to identify game program code as certified or approved. This is provided by use of various electronic devices and elements for encryption, including at least a device that is internally embedded in the gaming device that access digital signatures, encrypted files, encrypted compiled files and hash functions as well as other encryption methods. Such functions are able to be effected, and security and validation is advantageously applied to data loaded into storage media even while the gaming machine is in operation.

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 the same quantity 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: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. 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 for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas.