Abstract: A system receives standard game output consisting of electronic signals for displaying text, numbers, and machine sounds and converts these signals to animated behavior and animated speech of a virtual human bystander shown on the audio-visual display. An interface receives data communication representing standard game states and standard game output from a separate electronic game, and uses the input to drive a virtual assistant projector, which animates an automated virtual assistant on the audio-visual display. A game output converter translates standard game states and standard game output from the interface into animated behavior information and animated speech information for input to the virtual assistant projector. Computer processing of the system can be operationally and communicatively isolated from a main game engine of the electronic game table.

Abstract: Electronic gaming system with real playing cards and multiple player displays for virtual card and betting images. In one implementation, the exemplary system allows real playing cards to be used in electronic gaming systems that provide multiple video displays for multiple live participants at a gaming table. The system can post virtual images of the cards in play on the participant displays and can also display virtual bets, e.g., wagering chips, on the same displays. The real playing cards provide the look, feel, and action of playing a card game while the electronic gaming system provides elements of automation, security, and virtual display of the cards and bets.

Abstract: A system receives standard game output consisting of electronic signals for displaying text, numbers, and machine sounds and converts these signals to animated behavior and animated speech of a virtual human bystander shown on the audio-visual display. An interface receives data communication representing standard game states and standard game output from a separate electronic game, and uses the input to drive a virtual assistant projector, which animates an automated virtual assistant on the audio-visual display. A game output converter translates standard game states and standard game output from the interface into animated behavior information and animated speech information for input to the virtual assistant projector. Computer processing of the system can be operationally and communicatively isolated from a main game engine of the electronic game table.

Abstract: Electronic gaming systems with real playing cards and multiple player displays for virtual playing cards and betting images, are described. In one implementation, the exemplary system allows real playing cards to be used in electronic gaming systems that provide multiple video displays for multiple live participants at a gaming table. The system enables play with real playing cards, virtual playing cards, or both. An example system can post virtual images of the cards in play on the participant displays and can also display virtual bets, e.g., wagering chips, on the same displays, while also allowing and tracking real playing cards. The real playing cards provide the look, feel, and action of playing a card game with real cards, while the electronic gaming system provides elements of automation, security, and virtual display of the cards and bets.

Abstract: A multivariate poker game is provided. In an implementation, a multiplayer card game offers player-selectable sequences of play, including optional 3-card plays and 5-card plays, all within a single round of the card game. A player's choice can determine how the action branches into different subsequent plays. Each 3-card play and each 5-card play within a single round may give rise to corresponding wagers from a player. Real or virtual cards are dealt facedown to form a 5-card dealer hand and 5-card player hands for each participating player. In one example, play begins with optional 3-card hands blindly selected by each player from the player's facedown cards and resolved against a 3-card pay table.

Abstract: Electronic gaming systems with real playing cards and multiple player displays for virtual playing cards and betting images, are described. In one implementation, the exemplary system allows real playing cards to be used in electronic gaming systems that provide multiple video displays for multiple live participants at a gaming table. The system enables play with real playing cards, virtual playing cards, or both. An example system can post virtual images of the cards in play on the participant displays and can also display virtual bets, e.g., wagering chips, on the same displays, while also allowing and tracking real playing cards. The real playing cards provide the look, feel, and action of playing a card game with real cards, while the electronic gaming system provides elements of automation, security, and virtual display of the cards and bets.

Abstract: A Roll 21 game is described. In one implementation, an example game method for one or more players includes accepting a bet from each of the one or more players, and selecting one of the players to be the shooter to roll two dice for all the players. Each six-sided die has the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 distributed on respective sides. The shooter rolls the two dice in multiple dice rolls until a cumulative total of the rolls equals or exceeds 17 or, until all players have stood and no bonus bets have been placed that require further accumulation of dice points. After each roll, each player may stand at the current cumulative total of the dice rolls. Then, when the cumulative total of the rolls equals or exceeds 17 (unless, e.g., all players have previously stood), the shooter rolls a host die to obtain a host total. The single six-sided host die has the numbers 17, 18, 19, and 21 distributed on four of the six sides and the word “Bust” is distributed on two of the six sides.

Abstract: Electronic gaming system with real playing cards and multiple player displays for virtual card and betting images. In one implementation, the exemplary system allows real playing cards to be used in electronic gaming systems that provide multiple video displays for multiple live participants at a gaming table. The system can post virtual images of the cards in play on the participant displays and can also display virtual bets, e.g., wagering chips, on the same displays. The real playing cards provide the look, feel, and action of playing a card game while the electronic gaming system provides elements of automation, security, and virtual display of the cards and bets.

Abstract: A digital random outcome interactive display (“droid”) is provided. In one implementation, an example droid consists of a visual display accessory for a gaming environment, such as for conventional and electronic game tables in a casino. The droid can provide a random outcome for each round of a game being played. The random outcome may be displayed as virtual dice, coins, tiles, dominos, playing cards, numbered balls, spinner, roulette wheel, or combinations of such virtual game pieces. Droid devices may optionally be networked with each other to manage a progressive jackpot across multiple games and players, communicate identity of a winning player to multiple locations, broadcast an image, message, camera feed, video, sound, or television feed to multiple game locations, or administer side betting rounds and bonus rounds across multiple game locations. Droids networked with each other and a server may also provide interactive menus for services, food and drink, shopping, and Internet.

Abstract: Electronic game tables with multifunction legs are described. In one implementation, an electronic multiplayer game table includes a tabletop with player stations for an electronic betting game. Multifunction legs physically support the periphery of the tabletop, while electronic components for playing the betting game are mounted in the multifunction legs. For example, a multifunction leg may contain multiple currency detectors and coinless slot machine-style ticket printers/readers, so that each player at the game table has an exclusive currency detector and an exclusive ticket printer in close proximity. The multifunction legs may also include magnetic or smart card readers for transferring player, banking, and monetary information. In a variation, central control components of the electronic game table are also mounted in the legs. The multifunction legs can eliminate the need for a central support pedestal.

Abstract: A multi-stage card game includes stages at which each player selects which unrevealed cards are to be played. In one implementation, bets are received for at least some stages of a multi-stage poker-like game. Cards are dealt into an unrevealed dealer hand and an unrevealed player hand for each player. For at least one of the stages, each player selects one of the cards from the player's unrevealed hand to reveal in order to access a progression of payout schedules. Each player's hand accumulates player-selected cards across the stages of the game and across associated payout schedules, until all cards are revealed. A player's poker hand is then compared to the dealer's poker hand for potential payout. Opportunities for bonus bets are also interjected into implementations of the game.

Abstract: A Roll 21 game is described. In one implementation, an example game method for one or more players includes accepting a bet from each of the one or more players, and selecting one of the players to be the shooter to roll two dice for all the players. Each six-sided die has the numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 distributed on respective sides. The shooter rolls the two dice in multiple dice rolls until a cumulative total of the rolls equals or exceeds 17 or, until all players have stood and no bonus bets have been placed that require further accumulation of dice points. After each roll, each player may stand at the current cumulative total of the dice rolls. Then, when the cumulative total of the rolls equals or exceeds 17 (unless, e.g., all players have previously stood), the shooter rolls a host die to obtain a host total. The single six-sided host die has the numbers 17, 18, 19, and 21 distributed on four of the six sides and the word “Bust” is distributed on two of the six sides.

Abstract: Electronic game tables with multifunction legs are described. In one implementation, an electronic multiplayer game table includes a tabletop with player stations for an electronic betting game. Multifunction legs physically support the periphery of the tabletop, while electronic components for playing the betting game are mounted in the multifunction legs. For example, a multifunction leg may contain multiple currency detectors and coinless slot machine-style ticket printers/readers, so that each player at the game table has an exclusive currency detector and an exclusive ticket printer in close proximity. The multifunction legs may also include magnetic or smart card readers for transferring player, banking, and monetary information. In a variation, central control components of the electronic game table are also mounted in the legs. The multifunction legs can eliminate the need for a central support pedestal.

Abstract: An interactive and programmable media sign and graphical user interface for casino games is described. In one implementation, the media sign provides displayable content, such as a game logo, casino banner, and betting limits that can be edited through the same touch screen display that provides the display surface. The media sign recognizes touch gestures to extend a graphical user interface (GUI) for secure entry into an editing mode. Once a user is authenticated, the media sign extends a hierarchy of logically linked GUI pages for editing displayable content and display settings, including importing content. In its multiple display panes, the media sign can present, for example, text, images, slideshows, video, and commercial broadcasts. In one implementation, a current profile of displayable content and display settings can be exported to other media signs, so that a single operator can edit information at one media sign and automatically propagate the edits to numerous media signs in a casino.

Abstract: Entertaining visual tricks for electronic betting games are described. In one implementation, a system receives gesture input, such as finger motions, from a user interface of a player at an electronic game table. The system maps the gesture input to known tricks and maneuvers to animate the virtual game components used in the electronic betting game, such as virtual playing cards, betting chips, dice, dice cups, tiles, and so forth. In one mode, the system divides the gesture input into segments and maps each segment to movement information for the virtual game component, enabling the player to record a custom visual trick. A motion synthesizer can apply kinematics to impart realistic or imaginary motion to the virtual game components, which can then be displayed across one or more video displays.

Abstract: A multi-stage card game includes stages at which each player selects which unrevealed cards are to be played. In one implementation, bets are received for at least some stages of a multi-stage poker-like game. Cards are dealt into an unrevealed dealer hand and an unrevealed player hand for each player. For at least one of the stages, each player selects one of the cards from the player's unrevealed hand to reveal in order to access a progression of payout schedules. Each player's hand accumulates player-selected cards across the stages of the game and across associated payout schedules, until all cards are revealed. A player's poker hand is then compared to the dealer's poker hand for potential payout. Opportunities for bonus bets are also interjected into implementations of the game.

Abstract: Electronic game systems with player-controllable security for display images are described. In one implementation, an exemplary multiplayer system hides the identity of virtual game artifacts, such as playing cards, being displayed as images, but allows the player to whom the virtual game artifacts are assigned to view the identities of the virtual game artifacts at will. A sensor or a player-controlled device, such as a switch or a touch screen display, can change a display image in order to hide or reveal at least part of the identity of the virtual game artifact. The display image being secured by the system can be a virtual representation of a playing card, die, dice, domino, game tile, game-piece, roulette number, slot symbol, icon, or token. The system can also shield the identity of the virtual game artifact while the display image is at one visual size, and reveal the identity of the virtual game artifact when shrinking the visual size of the display image to afford security.