Abstract: A card game that includes both wild and skip card features has a predetermined number of cards designated for use as dual-function wild/skip cards. At the option of the card holder at his playing turn, such a dual-function card may be selectively used either as a wild card for melding purposes or as a penalty-imposing card to cause an opponent to whom the card is given to be skipped, i.e., to lose his or her next playing turn or to receive some other comparable or additional penalty.

Abstract: A novel Keno game is disclosed wherein a player selects up to ten numbers from a field of eighty numbers to be played and these numbers are compared to twenty numbers randomly selected by the game from the same field of numbers in a manner known in the prior art. When the player places one or more conventional bets on the outcome of the game, they now also place one or more side bets as to the number of hits or matches there will be between the player selected numbers and twenty numbers selected by the game computer. The player may place side bets on more than one number of hits or matches to increase their odds of achieving side bet winnings.

Abstract: A scratch-off lottery game card that simulates the rules of the game of Bingo. On the card, there is a first set of game indicia of a first type arranged in a grid that has at least one row of cells having a indicia of a second type with a unique one of the indicia of the second type defining a particular column of the grid. There is a second set of game indicia on the card, each a grouping of one of the first and second type of game indicia such that each defines a potential one of the first type of indicia in a column of cells of the grid of first set of game indicia. A set of prize indicators is adjacent the grid of the first set of game indicia thereby defining a row of the grid and indicating the prize for matching a defined row.

Abstract: A poker style card game apparatus and method which allows any or all players the opportunity to win any given round, and utilizes two hands played concurrently utilizing one or more shared card(s). The card game apparatus includes at least one deck of cards and a table. The table preferably includes a plurality of player stations, a community card indicia indicating the placement of one or more community cards to be used by all players equally in completing a small hand and a large hand. Each player utilizes the cards they are dealt, along with the community card(s) to form a large hand, preferably five cards, and a small hand, preferably three cards. A value of the hands formed by each player is then determined according to a payout schedule.

Abstract: A method of playing a poker-type scratch ticket game where a scratch ticket has a plurality of two-card, known, starter hands and five unrevealed community cards. A player reveals the community cards. Each starter hand is combined with the community cards to form complete hands. The player is paid a predetermined amount if any of the complete hands is found in a pay table. Optionally, the predetermined amount is based on the rank of the hand. Optionally, there is more than one set of community cards.

Abstract: The construction of a set of playing cards comprising a group of single-valued cards and a group of double-valued cards is disclosed. In one embodiment, the power of a select group of conventionally high value cards is shifted to a select group of conventionally low value cards. Methods of using the disclosed sets of playing cards for increasing the probability of a winning hand in a game of cards are also described.

Abstract: A device for holding and viewing playing cards is herein provided and discloses an apparatus that allows the viewing of playing cards that are placed down on the device for those who have limited use of their hands or would benefit from such a device. The invention takes the form of an angled stand with the approximate dimensions of four inches by six inches where a portion of this area is used to hold the cards face down, as placed there by the dealer or player's assistant, although other sizes and shapes for accommodating multiple card are envisioned. The device is shielded so that adjacent players are denied the ability to view the cards. A dual mirror assembly is visible through a viewing window that is used by the player. In such a manner, players without the use of their hands or arms can see their cards in an easy manner without the aid of another person.

Abstract: The invention comprises methods of settling wagers in a game with a Player/Dealer pool which entail reserving some of the funds in the Player/Dealer pool to pay bonuses and additional wagers and in some cases retiring more funds from the Player/Dealer pool than the amount won or lost. The invention also includes two optional mechanisms for implementing these methods. One method is a Base Bank and Reserve Bank where funds are reserved before any wagers are settled to pay bonuses and additional wagers. The other method is a Settlement Bank where the amount of funds to be retired is separated before wagers on a particular hand are settled.

Abstract: A card game tabletop used for playing various types of card games. The tabletop includes a circular felt covered panel. The felt covered panel is adapted for receiving playing cards and betting chips thereon. A circular, transparent advertising cover is mounted on a lower panel. The advertising cover is disposed next to and around a perimeter of the felt covered panel. The felt covered panel is also received on top of the lower panel. An advertising space is provided between a bottom of the advertising cover and a portion of the lower panel. The advertising space is used for receiving advertising therein. The advertising can be permanently installed or mounted on removable cards or blocks for inserting into the advertising space. A raised padded rail can be disposed around the perimeter of the advertising cover and mounted to a side of the lower panel. The padded rail is used for players to rest their lower arms and hands thereon.

Abstract: A new variation of poker comprising a 20-card deck for use with poker games and a table and method therefor. The 20-card deck comprises the five highest ranked cards of 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in each of the four suits of Diamonds, Clubs, Hearts and Spades. The 20-card deck is preferably used in conjunction with Texas Hold'em, but can be used with other poker games as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a shuffler device including a tub for receiving one or more game pieces. The game pieces can be, for example, revealer devices, cards, and dice or Mah Jongg tiles. The bottom of the tub includes a plurality of raised portions. Alternatively, the bottom of the tub can include a plurality of ball bearings. The tub is rotated and one or more game pieces can be removed from the tub. In an alternate embodiment, a slidable door is formed in the tub for receiving the revealer device or game pieces. The slidable door can be attached to a covered chute. In one embodiment, two connected tubs are used to each receive a set of revealer devices or game pieces.

Abstract: A method of playing a video poker game that has a plurality of two-card, revealed, partial hands and five unrevealed community cards. A player wagers on one or more partial hands, after which some of the community cards are revealed. The player then either raises or folds each hand, after which the remainder of the community cards are revealed. Each partial hand is combined with all of the community cards to form complete hands. The player is paid a payout amount if the highest ranked complete hand that has not been folded is found in a pay table that corresponds to the hand. Optionally, the hands and payout amounts of the pay table are based on the odds of achieving ranked hands. Optionally, there are multiple sets of community cards.

Abstract: A 3-number bingo game adapted to ensures there can be only a single winner. The numbers from 1 to 75 are divided into fifteen groups of five numbers each. For each group, the unique 3-number combinations of the five numbers taken three at a time are determined and printed on game cards. A single winner is determined if the unique 3-number combination on a player's game card matches a winning set of three numbers randomly determined by the House.

Abstract: A gaming method is disclosed and comprises: providing at least one player with at least one pocket card; dealing three community cards; allowing the player to either check or place a bet before the third community card is dealt; and allowing the player to create a poker hand comprising: the pocket card, the third community card and either the first or second community card. The third community card or “key card” must be used by all remaining players and the dealer to form their poker hands. A gaming layout is also disclosed and comprises: at least one player position which is adapted to identify a player's set of cards and includes an ante location adapted to identify a player's ante; a first community card position; a second community card position; and a third community card position, wherein the first, second, and third community card positions are distinct from each other.

Abstract: A lottery game card including a plurality of squares distributed in a matrix format, and a plurality of game indicia initially covered by a removable material. Each squares of the matrix are populated with a game symbol and some of the squares of the matrix are covered by the removable material, forming a Sudoku puzzle. A player may play the Sudoku puzzle using the matrix. The player may remove the removable material from the game indicia and covered squares. If the squares identified by the game indicia form a predefined pattern, a prize is awarded to the player.

Abstract: Gaming machines are disclosed having a basic mode defining a plurality of reels and a bonus mode defining a plurality of stations about a game board (e.g., MONOPOLY board) traversable by a token identifier. The disclosure describes a plurality of play features for the basic and/or bonus modes including (1) a feature allowing the player to select a game token; (2) a feature allowing the player to predict and wager on landing position(s) of the token identifier; (3) a feature allowing the player to obtain deferred-execution instruction(s) which are exercisable by the processor to override later-issued instruction(s) otherwise to be executed by the processor; (4) a feature in which movements of the token identifier are determined according to movement tables corresponding to the various stations of the game board; (5) a feature in which escalating bonuses are awarded for reaching a designated bonus square (e.g., the ‘GO’ square); (6) a feature in which bonuses are awarded for completing groups of stations (e.g.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a technique to play a card game. P pocket cards are dealt to each of a plurality of players from a deck of cards having N ranks and four suits. N is different than 13. The P pocket cards are used by the each of the players to form a five-card poker hand having a ranking. A first betting round is made among the plurality of players. The first betting round contributes to a pot. F flop cards are dealt to be seen by the plurality of players. The F flop cards are communal to the players. A second betting round is made among the players. The second betting round contributes to the pot.

Abstract: A method of playing a dice game using a pair of dice and a playing surface having a plurality of wagering areas. The game surface has sum wagering areas arranged in rows and columns, each of which correspond to possible numeric outcomes of a roll of the dice, and each of which has an associated color and payout ratio. The game surface also has range wagering areas, color wagering areas, column wagering areas, row wagering areas, doubles wagering areas, and doubles range wagering areas, each having an associated payout ratio. An all doubles wagering area, all sums wagering area and all sums all doubles wagering area are also provided.

Abstract: A lottery ticket has printed thereon a matrix of nine rows and nine columns defining eighty one locations some of which are pre-marked with numbers from 1 to 9 and is arranged such that the player can select and enter the numbers in open locations to provide an arrangement of the numbers in which the marked locations and the open locations contain a number selected from the numbers 1 to 9 where all columns and all rows have the nine locations thereof each containing one of the numbers 1 to 9 with each number appearing once only. Prizes are awarded, according to a set of rules relating to the lottery ticket, depending on the appearance of at least one of the numbers in at least one of the locations or depending on the total number of correct rows or columns or other matrix shape of nine locations.

Abstract: A video poker machine configured to allow a player to play a card game is provided. The video poker machine includes at least one display device, at least one input device, and at least one computer configured to display at least a first hand and a second hand of at least five cards all face up, each hand including the same five cards. A player can be provided an option to play a hand by selecting none, one or more than one of the face up cards from the first hand and the second hand and any additional hands as cards to be held. Each of the cards not selected to be held are discarded from each hand and replaced with a face up card. The player can be provided a pre-established amount based on the amount of a wager made on the hand if the resulting cards of the hand comprise a predetermined poker hand ranking.