Abstract: An electronic poker style video game is disclosed. The game has hardware and software for receiving input from and providing output to the user. Using computer hardware and software, a first portion of each card hand in a plurality of card hands is dealt. The user places a first wager on any one or any combination of the card hands. The remaining portion, which can include one or more interim portions and a final portion, of the card hands is dealt. The winning hand is determined. The user is paid a sum based on the user's wager, if any, placed on the hand that became the winning hand. The electronic poker style video game of the present invention may also be networked to other electronic poker style video games of the same type operate in a tournament mode.

Abstract: Methods and systems for inserting customizable content into a computer game designed to operate in a personal computer environment that has been converted to operate in an arcade-style environment are disclosed. According to the present invention, a computer game designed to operate in a personal computer environment is operated in the personal computer environment using a computer operating system and compatible software. An arcade-style environment is created by securing the personal computer environment to prevent unwanted computer programs from running in the personal computing environment. Arcade-style environment features are added to the computer game. Communications between the computer game and the operating system are monitored and game relevant data can be communicated between the arcade-style environment and the personal computer environment. Customizable content can be inserted into the communication between the computer game and the operating system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a computer game designed to operate in a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment are disclosed. According to the present invention, a computer game designed to operate in a personal computer environment is operated in the personal computer environment using a computer operating system and compatible software. An arcade-style environment is created by securing the personal computer environment to prevent unwanted computer programs from running in the personal computing environment; this can be accomplished, in part, by replacing the default operating system interface with an arcade-style operations interface. Arcade-style environment features are added to the computer game. Arcade-style environment features can include arcade-style specific accounting features, arcade-style specific sounds, arcade-style specific displays, and arcade-style specific controls.