Abstract: A system including a deck of playing cards. A randomly generated number is printed on each playing card in the deck. An activation device is also provided, which contains a data file of each randomly generated number of the playing cards in the deck, and the order of each playing card in the deck. A playing card dealing shoe is also provided. The shoe includes a sensor for detecting the randomly generated number on a playing card as the playing card is drawn from the shoe. The shoe is associated with a processor, which is in communication with the sensor and the activation device to receive information therefrom. The processor determines whether a playing card drawn from the shoe is expected based on the information from the sensor and the activation device, and disables the shoe when the drawn playing card is not the expected playing card.

Abstract: A card-connector is provide for the construction 3-dimensions objects with cards, such as playing cards. The card connector can include a card receiving portion and an interconnection portion. The card receiving portion can be bifurcated to define a first side portion, a second side portion, and a slot. The interconnecting portion can have at least one of a ball portion or socket portion of a ball and socket joint, where two interconnecting portion can be connected to form a ball and socket joint. Multiple card connectors can be joined together with the interconnecting portions to create 3-dimensional objects with the cards.

Abstract: A card dealing system incorporating playing cards with rank and suit information encoded thereon via micro-dots, and a shoe capable of reading such micro dots as a playing card is drawn from the shoe. A game controller unit determines the location of the micro-dots on the playing card, and determines the rank and suit information therefrom. The game controller thereby monitors the progress and status of a card game.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a security apparatus for use on a playing card shoe to prevent the removal of playing cards from the splaying card shoe. Playing card shoes generally have an elongated body including a card cradle for supporting a plurality of playing cards, The card cradle has an outlet opening adjacent to a front end of the elongated body, through which playing cards can be removed from the playing card shoe, A cradle cover is removably attached to the elongated, body, covering the card cradle and playing cards therein. A faceplate is removably attach to the outer front, end of the elongated body, and defines a mouth through which playing cards can be drawn from the outlet opening. The security apparatus prevents the removal a playing cards from the shoe, where the security apparatus is removably attached to the playing card shoe to block and/or cover the outlet opening.

Abstract: Playing cards are provided to preventing card edge sorting in a card game. The playing cards back design is made up of irregular design elements. The irregular design elements mask the variances, making the differing pattern in the edge cuts difficult to detect with the naked eye. The irregular design elements can take the form of not commonly recognized geometric shapes used to create a repeating pattern. The irregularities in the sides and shapes of the irregular design elements is then repeated throughout the back design. Using shapes with greater than five sides can serve to make it increasingly more difficult to detect individual elements of the repeating pattern. Some use line elements in combination with the shapes to break up the pattern and draw the eye away from specific sections making it harder to isolate the shape being used.

Abstract: A gaming table system for error reduction and efficiency are disclosed. The gaming table system include a gaming table can have sensors for determining the values of the dealt cards. Additional table sensor can use used to determine the players bet and prospective payout. Intelligent markers can be integrated with the system, where the markers preferably include a mechanism for signaling the receiving bettor to acknowledge receipt of the marker, which acknowledgement may turn off the indicating mechanism. The method of indication could be visual, audible or otherwise which would signal a bettor to interact with the marker. The intelligent markers communicate with table sensors and a shoe to monitor the status of games, and to signal alerts when a mistake occurs.

Abstract: An alloy, comprising up to 2% by weight of manganese and the balance zinc broadens the use of low cost zinc in coinage and token applications as well as in electrical and electronic applications. Additions of small amounts of manganese can have a significant effect on lowering the conductivity of zinc and its alloys.

Abstract: A card dealing system incorporating playing cards with rank and suit information encoded thereon via micro-dots, and a shoe capable of reading such micro dots as a playing card is drawn from the shoe. A game controller unit determines the positioning of the micro-dots on the playing card, and determines the rank and suit information therefrom. The game controller thereby monitors the progress and status of a card game. The shoe includes a mechanism for increasing the force needed to pull a card from the shoe in certain circumstances. The engagement of this mechanism may be tied to the rules of the game, or may relate to circumstances apart from the rules of the game, such as the detection of a cut card or a virtual cut card.

Abstract: Intelligent markers and a card distribution error reduction system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention includes intelligent markers which are effectively “player acknowledgement” indicators. The markers preferably include a mechanism for signaling the receiving bettor to acknowledge receipt of the marker, which acknowledgement may turn off the indicating mechanism. The method of indication could be visual, audible or otherwise which would signal a bettor to interact with the marker. The intelligent markers communicate with table sensors and a shoe to monitor the status of games, and to signal alerts when a mistake occurs.

Abstract: A card dealing system incorporating playing cards with rank and suit information encoded thereon via micro-dots, and a shoe capable of reading such micro dots as a playing card is drawn from the shoe. A game controller unit determines the positioning of the micro-dots on the playing card, and determines the rank and suit information therefrom. The game controller thereby monitors the progress and status of a card game. The shoe includes a mechanism for increasing the force needed to pull a card from the shoe in certain circumstances. The engagement of this mechanism may be tied to the rules of the game, or may relate to circumstances apart from the rules of the game, such as the detection of a cut card or a virtual cut card.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a security apparatus for use on a playing card shoe to prevent the removal of playing cards from the splaying card shoe. Playing card shoes generally have an elongated body including a card cradle for supporting a plurality of playing cards. The card cradle has an outlet opening adjacent to a front end of the elongated body, through which playing cards can be removed from the playing card shoe, A cradle cover is removably attached to the elongated, body, covering the card cradle and playing cards therein. A faceplate is removably attach to the outer front, end of the elongated body, and defines a mouth through which playing cards can be drawn from the outlet opening. The security apparatus prevents the removal a playing cards from the shoe, where the security apparatus is removably attached to the playing card shoe to block and/or cover the outlet opening.

Abstract: A card dealing system incorporating playing cards with rank and suit information encoded thereon via micro-dots, and a shoe capable of reading such micro dots as a playing card is drawn from the shoe. A game controller unit determines the location of the micro-dots on the playing card, and determines the rank and suit information therefrom. The game controller thereby monitors the progress and status of a card game.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and distributes playing cards according the pseudo-random playing card sequence. For example, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and prints playing cards in order of the pseudo-random playing card sequence. Further, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence based on a house advantage. Yet further, the method, apparatus and article can generate a promotional message on one or more playing cards.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and distributes playing cards according to the pseudo-random playing card sequence. For example, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and prints playing cards in order of the pseudo-random playing card sequence. Further, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence based on a house advantage. Yet further, the method, apparatus and article can generate a promotional message on one or more playing cards.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and distributes playing cards according the pseudo-random playing card sequence. For example, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and prints playing cards in order of the pseudo-random playing card sequence. Further, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence based on a house advantage. Yet further, the method, apparatus and article can generate a promotional message on one or more playing cards.

Abstract: Disclosed is a playing card (12) comprising a base layer (22) of a paper stock material. The base layer (22) is coated on opposite sides with opaque paper coatings (36, 38). The coatings (36, 38) are printed with graphics (18, 20). The base layer (22) is then laminated with top and bottom clear, plastic films (24, 26) on top of the printed coatings (36, 38). The films are high or medium gloss fills and provide a Tappi gloss in the range of about 85.degree. to 105.degree.. The films are mechanically embossed with embossments (48). The embossments (48) provide a static slip in the range of about 7.degree. to about 15.degree. and a Tappi gloss in the range of 50.degree. to 85.degree.. The embossments (48) reduce gloss without significant loss in ink density, color, or image distinctness.