Patents Assigned to Thwartpoker Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130035146
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a single actual player playing a multiplayer card selection game against a set of virtual players. It creates a new game that uses the card selection feature of inventor's previous games, but has a very different goal and structure than those games. Instead of the actual player trying to build the best hand with no guarantee of success, the actual player tries to use card selection undo followed by reselecting more optimal cards the fewest number of times to build the best hand playing against the virtual players. In addition, actual players can compete against each other to determine who is best at playing the same game against the same number of virtual players. The winner is the actual player who uses undo card selection the fewest number of times in building the best hand playing against his/her set of virtual opponents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: THWARTPOKER INC.
    Inventor: Arthur M. Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 8348738
    Abstract: The present invention relates to computer-based multiplayer games that follow the scoring rules of poker in which players select cards from a second deck of playing cards that is composed of cards randomly selected by the software from a first deck of playing cards for each new hand, where the second deck has fewer cards than the first deck. The introduction of a smaller second deck whose composition and size can vary substantially from hand-to-hand, adds a fascinating and challenging puzzle component to the strategy and chance elements of prior card selection games. The use of a prior art deck that remains unchanged allows each player to tend to rely on a predetermined set of fixed card selection strategies. Whereas, the ever-changing, smaller second deck compels each player to formulate his/her card selection strategy anew for each hand, keeping play fresh and exciting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: ThwartPoker, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur M. Pfeiffer, Daniel Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 8282459
    Abstract: The invention is a method of playing computerized card games against real or virtual players. The cards games are usually variations of poker, where the quality of the players' hands is due to skill and strategy rather than the luck of the draw. Players request desired cards from a computerized dealer without knowledge of which cards other players have requested. A null card, which has no value in determining the outcome of the game, is delivered to players who request the same card as another player has requested regardless of whether the card was requested previously or during the current round. In another embodiment, a null card is delivered only when two or more players request the same card during the current round or if a player requests a card that has already been distributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: ThwartPoker Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur M. Pfeiffer, Daniel Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7806408
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method of playing computerized card games against real players at a table. The cards games are usually variations of poker, where the quality of the players' hands is due to skill and strategy rather than the luck of the draw. Players request desired cards from an actual or computerized dealer without knowledge of which cards other players have requested. A null card, which has no value in determining the outcome of the game, is delivered to players who request the same card as another player has requested regardless of whether the card was requested previously or during the current round. In another embodiment, a null card is delivered only when two or more players request the same card during the current round or if a player requests a card that has already been distributed. Each player has a display screen showing that player's hand. The players may make card selections using a touchscreen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: ThwartPoker, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur M. Pfeiffer, Daniel Pfeiffer
  • Publication number: 20100184501
    Abstract: The invention is a method of playing computerized card games against real or virtual players. The cards games are usually variations of poker, where the quality of the players' hands is due to skill and strategy rather than the luck of the draw. Players request desired cards from a computerized dealer without knowledge of which cards other players have requested. A null card, which has no value in determining the outcome of the game, is delivered to players who request the same card as another player has requested regardless of whether the card was requested previously or during the current round. In another embodiment, a null card is delivered only when two or more players request the same card during the current round or if a player requests a card that has already been distributed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: THWARTPOKER INC.
    Inventors: Arthur M. Pfeiffer, Daniel Pfeiffer
  • Publication number: 20100178971
    Abstract: The present invention relates to computer-based multiplayer games that follow the scoring rules of poker in which players select cards from a second deck of playing cards that is composed of cards randomly selected by the software from a first deck of playing cards for each new hand, where the second deck has fewer cards than the first deck. The introduction of a smaller second deck whose composition and size can vary substantially from hand-to-hand, adds a fascinating and challenging puzzle component to the strategy and chance elements of prior card selection games. The use of a prior art deck that remains unchanged allows each player to tend to rely on a predetermined set of fixed card selection strategies. Whereas, the ever-changing, smaller second deck compels each player to formulate his/her card selection strategy anew for each hand, keeping play fresh and exciting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: THWARTPOKER INC.
    Inventors: Arthur M. Pfeiffer, Daniel Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 7717783
    Abstract: The invention is a method of playing computerized card games against real or virtual players. The cards games are usually variations of poker, where the quality of the players' hands is due to skill and strategy rather than the luck of the draw. Players request desired cards from a computerized dealer without knowledge of which cards other players have requested. A null card, which has no value in determining the outcome of the game, is delivered to players who request the same card as another player has requested regardless of whether the card was requested previously or during the current round. In another embodiment, a null card is delivered only when two or more players request the same card during the current round or if a player requests a card that has already been distributed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: ThwartPoker Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur M. Pfeiffer, Daniel Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: 6679777
    Abstract: A method of playing an interactive, computerized, multi-player card game in which desired cards are selected by players, some of which may be virtual players generated by the game's software. Each real player uses a computer or similar device that is connected to a network. Virtual player card selection and betting is controlled by computer software. After each player has selected a card in a round, computer software determines what card each player is dealt. Null cards having no value in the scoring are dealt when there is a conflict in card selection or when a player fails to select a card within a time limit. The games follow the rules of poker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Thwartpoker Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur M. Pfeiffer, Daniel Pfeiffer
  • Patent number: RE41331
    Abstract: A method of playing an interactive, computerized, multi-player card game in which desired cards are selected by players, some of which may be virtual players generated by the game's software. Each real player uses a computer or similar device that is connected to a network. Virtual player card selection and betting is controlled by computer software. After each player has selected a card in a round, computer software determines what card each player is dealt. Null cards having no value in the scoring are dealt when there is a conflict in card selection or when a player fails to select a card within a time limit. The games follow the rules of poker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Thwartpoker, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur M. Pfeiffer, Daniel Pfeiffer