Patents Examined by Benjamin H. Layno
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Patent number: 6755421Abstract: A method of playing a variation of seven card stud poker. A venue is provided at which not less then three players and not more than six players compete for a jackpot against each other and not against a house. Play is commenced using a 54 card deck consisting of 52 regular playing cards and two wild cards. The players ante toward a jackpot and are dealt a first card face up, a second card face down and a third card face down. Each player is allowed to view the faces of the second card and the third card dealt to them. As each subsequent card is received, the players can elect to either fold or place a bet toward the jackpot. After a number of betting rounds, the winner of the jackpot is determined.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2003Date of Patent: June 29, 2004Assignee: Tortugas Trading Company Ltd.Inventor: Ron Benjamin Aftergood
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Patent number: 6752395Abstract: Methods of playing card games include the steps of (a) affording each player an opportunity to place an ANTE wager to participate in the game; (b) affording each player an opportunity to make an optional BONUS BET wager; (c) dealing three cards to each player and to a dealer; (d) affording each player an opportunity to view their cards; (e) affording each player an opportunity to either fold and forfeit their ANTE wager, or call by making a BET wager (f) evaluating whether the dealer's hand qualifies by achieving a predetermined point value; and (g) settling wagers by (1) if the dealer's hand does not qualify, paying the ANTE wagers and refunding the BET wagers to each remaining player and paying each remaining player who opted to make the BONUS BET wager an amount determined by a predetermined pay table based on a point value of the player's hand; (2) if the dealer's hand does qualify, comparing each remaining player's hand with the dealer's hand using point value as the criteriType: GrantFiled: January 23, 2003Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Inventors: Daniel A. Jones, Albert J. Ethier
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Patent number: 6752394Abstract: A method of playing cards includes the steps of a player placing a first wager; a dealer providing at least one player card to the player to form a first hand; the dealer providing an opportunity for the player to evaluate the first hand to decide whether to place a second wager; resolving the first wager based upon the rank of the first hand; where the player decides to place the second wager, showing the player at least one common card to provide to the player a combined second hand including the first hand and the at least one common card; and resolving the second wager based upon the rank of the combined hand. A card playing surface also is provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Inventor: James C. Malcolm
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Patent number: 6749198Abstract: The inventions herein relate to novel games of chance and apparatus and methods for their play. In one embodiment, a multi-level game of chance is played by presenting the player with multiple options, where there is at least one positive option and at least one negative option. By way of example, at each level the player selects one of four boxes, where two have a monetary amount, and one has a strike. Optionally, the fourth box may comprise a ‘mystery box’, which requires a decision within a decision. When presented with the mystery box, the player may elect to open it or not. If they do not open it, game play resumes at the existing game level. If they open it, one of multiple options is presented, including a positive option and a negative option. In the preferred embodiment, the positive option could include: a multiplier of the winnings of the player, e.g., a double of the money in the player's account, or the updating of the safe level for the player.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLCInventors: Randall Mark Katz, Gary Dawson
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Patent number: 6749199Abstract: A dice-less Craps game is disclosed. The game may be played by dealing, by a dealer, a pair of cards having numerical indicia thereon; determining whether the pair of cards are of a like suit; if the cards are not of a like suit, then adding the numerical indicia together to determine a roll in accordance with the rules of Craps; and if the pair of cards are of a like suit, then arriving at a predetermined result other than a roll in accordance with the rules of Craps. In a further disclosed aspect, the first predetermined result comprises a NoCall. In a further disclosed aspect an apparatus for playing a dice-less Craps game is disclosed, comprising a deck of cards comprising 48 cards having numerical indicia thereon including four like-suited pairs each of Aces, Twos, Threes, Fours, Fives, and Sixes; and a Craps playing surface having additional indicia thereon for wagering on a predetermined result if a pair of dealt cards are of a like suit.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2001Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Inventor: David A. Boyd
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Patent number: 6746016Abstract: A method for playing a stand-alone and a bonus casino poker dice having X dice, each of the X dice having F faces with a different symbol thereon so as to form a set {S} of symbols on each of the X dice. The method of the present invention includes the steps of placing a wager; rolling the dice; holding none, any, or all of the rolled dice; ending the casino poker dice game when the dice are all held or when re-rolling occurs Y times; paying any winning combinations of symbols based on the placed wager and in response to the step of ending the game; re-rolling the non-held dice when less than all the X dice are held; and repeating various of these steps until the game ends. Variations on this basic method are set forth for stand-alone games, bonus games, used in conjunction with underlying gaming machines, and playing a bonus game of the present invention in parallel with an underlying game so that a number of hands are played.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: June 8, 2004Assignee: Mikohn Gaming CorporationInventors: Kenneth Allan Perrie, Olaf Vancura
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Patent number: 6739970Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game, which is based upon a long-duration, multi-step game is disclosed. The method utilizes an underlying game that allows the player to perform predefined chargeable actions while the player is playing the underlying game. The player is charged for each chargeable action the player performs. The player is awarded a prize if a predefined prize event or condition occurs during the game. A player's skill could determine the amount of credits charged for chargeable actions as well as the duration of the underlying game. The method of the present invention may be applied to solitaire, poker, blackjack, slot machines, keno, bingo, and many other kinds of games.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: Sierra Design GroupInventor: Robert A. Luciano
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Patent number: 6736398Abstract: A modular board game apparatus has a segmental playing surface comprising pairs of segments which are variously configured to provides a surface whose shape and playing area may be changed according to the requirements of a particular game. The segments facilitate versions of games normally only played between two players (such as chess and draughts) to be played by two, three or four people (Configurations II, III and IV). The board shapes described are each proportional in area to the number of players, are symmetrical, and may be variously patterned (6,7). A preferred embodiment comprising eight quadrilateral segments (3) that may be arranged in differing orientations, assembled and secured about a central point by means of a restraining ring (2) is illustrated. Segment sets comprising variously shaped segments of differing thickness can be assembled to simulate undulating terrain.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Inventor: Jaan Peter Charles Stanton
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Patent number: 6733011Abstract: A method of playing a Super Baccarat card game involves a fixed number of players in one round of game, wherein a Host is selected from the players to play against the rest of the players. The Host and the players invest a Capital and Investments respectively wherein each player selectively invests the respective Investment at a BANKER position or a PLAYER position. Two cards are dealt to the BANKER position and the PLAYER position respectively. By determining and comparing total point values of the BANKER cards and the PLAYER cards, which has a higher total point value wins the round of game. An action player is determined by an action number according to the higher point value, so as to determine which of the player to play against the Host and start to collect or payout the Investment until the Capital is totally paid out.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2001Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Inventor: Yi Qiang Su
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Patent number: 6733388Abstract: A method for determining the total amount bet by individual players participating in multiple spins of a roulette game at a gaming table that has a chipper machine and an intelligent table terminal. The method involves interfacing the chipper sorting machine with the table terminal, allocating a chip to a patron at the terminal, counting the number of color chips sorted by the chipper machine per color, and associating the number of color chips sorted by the machine per color with the patron. The total amount bet by that patron is then determined by mathematically linking the chip value of the color chip of the patron with the number of chips of the individual color sorted by the chipper machine in the time period in which the color chip is associated with that patron.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Assignee: Grips Electronics Ges.m.b.HInventor: Ewald Mothwurf
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Patent number: 6733012Abstract: A method of playing a mini-Baccarat type game is disclosed. The game is played using a playing surface and playing cards. Three cards are randomly dealt to each of a plurality of players and the dealer. The method includes multiple wager options, including the step of placement of a bet that the cumulative value of the three cards of one or more of the plurality of players will exceed the cumulative value of the three cards of the dealer. A game surface for playing the mini-Baccarat type game of the present invention is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2002Date of Patent: May 11, 2004Inventors: Hong Bui, Ton B. Nguyen
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Patent number: 6729621Abstract: Whenever the player achieves one of the predetermined types of starting hand combinations on the initial deal of a hand of video poker, then the player is provided with the opportunity to split his starting hand into two or more hands without having to make an additional wager. After the player has split his original starting hand, additional cards are dealt from the remaining cards to complete five cards hands. Each of the final five card hands are analyzed to determine the poker hand ranking. The player receives an award for each hand that has a winning poker hand ranking and the amount of the award is based on a pay table and the amount wagered by the player. Each of the final hands are considered as having the full amount wagered by the player.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
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Patent number: 6729620Abstract: In a casino card game, provisions are made for a jackpot component awarded after initially dealt cards are reviewed and additional cards are dealt, in which predetermined prizes are awarded players who participate in the jackpot component by placing additional wagers and the prizes are based upon preselected arrangements of playing cards in the hands after additional cards are dealt.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Inventor: Donald W. Jones
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Patent number: 6729619Abstract: A dice game including dice, chips, predictive markers, and methods of play. The goal of the game is to be the first person to obtain all the chips from the other players. Chips are used for wagering on the outcome of dice rolls. The game may optionally employ predictive markers to facilitate predictions for the outcome of the dice roll.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Brian Yu, Jonathan Bedford
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Patent number: 6726562Abstract: A method for playing a game has the steps of establishing a plurality of paths, each of which have a plurality of squares including a start square, an end square, and a plurality of value squares. Randomly traversing the paths to afford the possibility of two or more moves to reach the end square. Allowing a player to select one of the paths. Moving along the player selected path randomly, while awarding the player the values associated with squares landed upon. The randomness is by the steps of spinning a spinner, rolling a die or dice, employing a wheel, flipping a coin, or the use of a random number generator. The step of establishing a plurality of paths, each having a plurality of squares includes using a stop square, squares which cause additional movement. The steps of establishing intersecting paths or establishing one or more squares having a game associated with them are practiced. The method is in a casino game and a bonus game for a base game.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Mikohn Gaming CorporationInventor: Olaf Vancura
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Patent number: 6726204Abstract: In a game machine, a reel unit is disposed behind each display window. The reel unit has an outer reel and an inner reel which coaxially rotate. The inner reel carries plural inner symbols at a certain pitch. The outer reel carries plural but less outer symbols. The outer symbol has a larger size than the inner symbol, and is opaque. The outer symbol on the inner symbol hides the inner symbol. A symbol combination is formed of only plural inner symbols, or at least one of the inner symbols and at least one of the outer symbols.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: April 27, 2004Assignee: Dragon Co., Ltd.Inventor: Haruo Inoue
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Patent number: 6722654Abstract: A golf card game which utilizes one or more decks of playing cards with each deck being divided into four different suits and there being fourteen different numerical value of cards within each suit. Each deck of playing cards also includes a prescribed number of wild cards. There being separate from the playing cards golf hole representations with each representation to display a golf hole number, a par value for the golf hole number, wild card numbers and a numerical value determining a number of the playing cards that are to be dealt to each player when playing a golf hole number. There is also to be used a plurality of stroke card representations which are numerically sequentially arranged which start with the number 1 and proceed to at least number 5. Cards are to be then dealt to all players and melds to be produced by a player, and when a player has completely melded and the first player to produce all melds will be declared the winner of a given hand and assigned a numerical score.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2003Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventors: Christopher S. Johnson, Richard A. Gama, Richard L. Dupree
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Patent number: 6722975Abstract: A method for playing a poker game along with an auxiliary game, which depends on the poker game outcomes, is provided. The outcomes of the poker game are divided in three categories: credit events, no-credit events and non-event holds. Depending on their categories, outcomes influence the auxiliary game in different ways. The preferred way the auxiliary game works is by monitoring credit and no-credit events with a time window having neither a beginning nor an end; the amount of information monitored being constant. When a predetermined number of credits is accumulated within the monitoring window, an auxiliary prize is awarded. The invention also provides ways to display the information monitored by the auxiliary game so that this information is easy for players to understand and to follow. Accordingly, the invention provides an enhanced play experience that maintains excitement.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: Labtronix Concept Inc.Inventor: GĂ©rald Duhamel
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Patent number: 6722655Abstract: A game that combines the concepts of poker and bingo is disclosed. The game is comprised of as many as thirteen individual player-tablets, a game board, a deck of standard playing cards, chips for establishing pots, and tokens for covering indicia cards on the player-tablets. Up to thirteen individual player-tablets can be used in a single game, with each sheet having a unique indicia of twenty-five different playing cards, including one Joker, imprinted on it and arranged strategically in a 5×5 matrix so that no two player-tablets in a given game are the same. The main game board is laid out with five pot areas comprised of a Center Pot, a Four-Corners Pot, a Four-of-a-Kind Pot, a Bingo Pot, and a Jackpot. When one of the pot conditions is covered on a player-tablet, the player wins that pot. Each time the Bingo Pot is won, the present game is over, with all pots that were not won remaining on the game board. Bets are then made again by placing chips in all the pots and another game is played.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Inventor: Royal D. Camero
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Patent number: 6719289Abstract: A two-player board game of chance and strategy, that uses sixteen direction-oriented game pieces, and fifty Additional Movement playing cards on a chess-like playing board. Each player is dealt seven or eleven cards, all concealed from view with only one card revealed during play. The game piece movements are used to capture or position the game pieces (1), for capture splays. The six different types of direction-oriented game pieces and their attributes change direction each time they reach the limits of the board on either opposing side. When a card is played, both the standard game piece movement and the matching card's movement (2) are taken together and represent one extended move (3,4). The game is won-by capturing the opponent's Lion type game piece. Additional variations include a four-player version and Level-Four Play.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Inventors: Stephen W. Brown, Louise Marie Brown, Mary Lou Brown