Patents by Inventor Ernest W. Moody

Ernest W. Moody has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Electronic video poker games
    Patent number: 7404762
    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 five cards all face up in at least two hands, each hand having the same five cards. One or more of the face up cards from each hand can be selected as cards to be held. The cards not selected to be held from each hand are discarded and replaced with a face up card, and a poker hand ranking is determined based on the resulting cards of each hand. The player can be provided a pre-established amount based on an amount of a wager made on each hand if the resulting cards of the hand comprise a predetermined poker hand ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • PRINTING PLAYING CARDS AT A GAMING TABLE
    Publication number: 20080150231
    Abstract: A gaming table is provided with an associated playing card printer. At the beginning of play, the playing card printer prints an entire deck of playing cards on suitable card stock. The deck of playing cards is printed in a random order as determined by a random number generator. The deck of playing cards is collated into a stack of cards and presented to the dealer who then uses this deck of playing cards to deal the casino game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: ERNEST W. MOODY
  • VIDEO POKER GAME WITH SPECIAL PAYOUT
    Publication number: 20080153560
    Abstract: A particular winning hand combination is converted into a different winning hand combination with a higher payout amount. In the preferred embodiment, whenever the player achieves a poker hand of Three-of-a-Kind and two Aces, the hand converts to a Four-of-a-Kind and the player receives the payout amount associated with Four-of-a-Kind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventor: ERNEST W. MOODY
  • CASINO GAME WITH NEXT ROUND MULTIPLIERS
    Publication number: 20080146305
    Abstract: A player plays a first round of a casino game. If the player achieves a winning outcome on the first round of play, the payouts for the next round of play of the casino game will be increased. The amount of the increase is based on the category of the winning outcome on the first round of play. Each subsequent round of play continues to have increased payouts if the player continues to achieve winning outcomes. When the player has a losing outcome, the payouts revert to the base level. An extra wager may be required from the player to activate this feature during the play of the casino game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventor: ERNEST W. MOODY
  • VIDEO POKER GAME IN WHICH SOME STARTING HANDS ARE SAVED FOR REUSE AT A LATER TIME
    Publication number: 20080113705
    Abstract: The method of play of the present invention defines certain initial starting hands as hands that may be replayed by a player at a later point in time if the initial starting hand results in a losing final hand after the draw step has taken place. Any initial starting hand that qualifies for later replay can be stored in the memory of the gaming machine. At a later time, the initial starting hand is displayed to the player for replay. The player may or may not be required to make a wager to replay the initial starting hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 15, 2008
    Inventors: ERNEST W. MOODY, Michael Fields
  • Video poker games with extra hands on next round for certain starting hands
    Patent number: 7316608
    Abstract: The game begins with a player playing a conventional hand of video poker. Whenever the player achieves one of the predetermined types of starting hand combinations on the original round of play of the hand of video poker, then the player is awarded one or more additional hands of video poker on the next round of play. The additional hands of video poker on the next round of play are played according to the multiple hand poker method described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,873; or U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,074; or U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,568 or U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,883. The award of one or more additional hands may continue consecutively as long as the player continues to achieve one of the predetermined types of winning hand combinations on the previous round of play of video poker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Slot machine method with individual symbol respin
    Patent number: 7275989
    Abstract: A slot machine is provided with a plurality of slot symbols which results in a display matrix having a plurality of reel stop locations. A player makes a wager for each pay line on the slot machine that the player wishes to be active. Prior to the reels being spun, the player selects at least one of the reel stop locations that will be respun after the initial spin of the reels. The slot reels are spun and the player receives an award for any winning symbol combinations that appear on active pay lines. Then the reel stop locations selected by the player are respun and the pay lines are reanalyzed to determine if winning combinations have been achieved as a result of the switching of the two reel stop locations. The player receives an award for any winning symbol combinations that appear on active pay lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Video poker games
    Patent number: 7247091
    Abstract: Whenever the player achieves one of the predetermined types of winning hand combinations on the original round of play of the hand of video poker, then the player is awarded one or more additional hands of video poker on the next round of play. The player may also receive a monetary payout on the original hand in addition to the extra hands of play on the additional round. The award of one or more additional hands may continue consecutively as long as the player continues to achieve one of the predetermined types of winning hand combinations on the previous round of play of video poker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Electronic video poker games
    Patent number: 7222858
    Abstract: If a wager is made on at least one hand of cards, at least five cards are selected from at least one deck of cards, all displayed face up. The deck of cards includes a plurality of cards each having a rank and a suit. At least two of the ranks are different and at least two of the suits are different. Zero, one or a plurality of the cards are selected from the first hand as cards to be held. If a second wager is made on a second hand, a card having the same rank as the card selected to be held from the first hand is displayed in the second hand for each card selected to be held from the first hand. The first and second hands can be completed to include at least five face up cards. Any awards for any determined winning combinations of cards of the completed first or second hands can be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Electronic video poker games
    Patent number: 7222857
    Abstract: A video poker machine is provided which includes at least one display device, at least one input device and at least one computer. The computer is configured with the display device and the input device to deal a first hand of at least five cards, all face up, and to cause a selection of none, one or more of the face up cards from the first hand as cards to be held. The cards selected to be held from the first hand are duplicated into a second hand. The face up cards not selected to be held are discarded from the first hand. Each of the discarded cards are replaced with a face up card, and the second hand is completed to have at least five cards by dealing additional face up cards. The computer configured with the display device and the input device further determines the poker hand ranking of the resulting cards of the first hand and the second hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Bonus feature on starting hands
    Patent number: 7156397
    Abstract: The method of present invention involves dealing the player a starting hand of cards, such as five cards, and the player then plays this hand with a first pay table. If the player's starting hand of cards has a poker hand ranking of any preselected combination of cards, such as a Three-of-a-Kind, the player is given the option of buying a second hand of cards identical to the first hand of cards which is accomplished by making another wager. The player then plays out both the first hand and the second hand by discarding and drawing replacement cards. The final first hand and the final second hand are then compared to the pay table to determine winning and losing combinations based on poker hand ranking. This method of play may also be played in a multiple hand format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Ernest W. Moody, Michael W. Wood
  • Electronic video poker game
    Patent number: 7137628
    Abstract: A method of playing a draw poker game only by a single player. The player makes a wager for each separate hand to be played. At least two hands of five cards are dealt all face up from a standard deck of playing cards. The cards in the first hand are the same cards as the cards in the second hand. The player discarding none, one or more cards from the first hand. The player discarding none, one or more cards from the second hand. Cards that have been discarded in each hand are replaced by cards from the standard deck of playing cards. The poker hand ranking of each hand is determined. The player is paid for any winning poker hands based on a pay table and the amount of the player's wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Electronic multi-hand stud poker games with payout multipliers
    Patent number: 7037190
    Abstract: A player makes a wager to play multiple hands of a stud poker game. A plurality of initial partial hands are displayed to the player. Each initial partial hand has the same cards with the cards displayed face up to the player. Each hand is then completed as a stud poker final hand. The player wins or loses depending on the poker hand ranking of each final hand. If the player achieves two or more final hands of the same poker hand ranking, the amount won by the player is increased, preferably as multiples of the original payout amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventors: Ernest W. Moody, Michael W. Wood
  • Electronic video poker games
    Patent number: 6964418
    Abstract: The player makes a wager for each separate hand to be played. One hand of four cards are dealt. The player selects cards from the first hand as cards to be held which are reused from the first hand into all of the other hands. Replacement cards for the non-selected cards are dealt into the first hand and an additional card is dealt so that the first hand has five cards. Additional cards are also dealt to all of the other hands so that each hand is a five card hand. The poker hand ranking of each hand is determined. The player is then paid for any winning poker hands based on a pay table and the amount of the player's wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Electronic video poker games
    Patent number: 6955356
    Abstract: The player makes a wager for each separate hand to be played. One hand of four cards are dealt. The player selects cards from the first hand as cards to be held which are reused from the first hand into all of the other hands. Replacement cards for the non-selected cards are dealt into the first hand and an additional card is dealt so that the first hand has five cards. Additional cards are also dealt to all of the other hands so that each hand is a five card hand. The poker hand ranking of each hand is determined. The player is then paid for any winning poker hands based on a pay table and the amount of the player's wager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Video poker game
    Patent number: 6877747
    Abstract: A player makes a wager to play a draw poker game a wager to play a stud poker game which is allocated over one or more stud poker hands. The player is dealt a draw poker hand. The player is then dealt one or more stud poker hands depending on the number of stud poker hands selected to be played. The player wins or loses depending on the poker hand ranking of each of the stud poker hands. The amount won for each winning hand is based on the poker hand ranking and the amount wagered according to a stud poker pay table. The player plays out the draw poker hand in accordance with the conventional manner of play of draw poker. The amount won for each winning hand is based on the poker hand ranking and the amount wagered according to a draw poker pay table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Poker game with multiple hands having similar expected value
    Patent number: 6878060
    Abstract: A player makes a wager, determines the number of hands the player wishes to play and a first starting five card video poker hand is displayed. The computer controls of the gaming machine calculate the Expected Value (EV) for the five card hand displayed based on the poker format being played. The computer controls then display to the player one or more additional five card starting hands having an EV similar to the EV of the first starting hand. The player selects one of the hands to play and all of the other hands are converted to the same hand chosen by the player. The player holds and then replacement cards are dealt for the discarded cards and the poker hand ranking of each final hand is determined. Awards are made to the player for winning poker hands based on the pay table being used and the amount wagered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Six dice game
    Patent number: 6854732
    Abstract: A dice game uses six dice. Each player makes a wager on the sum total of the six dice which would result from a single roll. A plurality of sum total groups are pre-established and a player makes a wager on one more of the sum total groups that can be achieved from a single roll of the six dice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Video poker game
    Publication number: 20040214624
    Abstract: The player makes a wager for a first hand and a wager for a second hand and the player then has displayed to him a first hand. The player selects which cards to hold and the unheld cards are discarded from the first hand and placed as the starting cards in the second hand. Replacement cards are displayed into the first hand to create a final first hand. Additional cards are displayed into the second hand to create a final second hand. The poker hand ranking of each hand is determined and the player receives a payout for any winning hand combination that is achieved in the final first hand and in the final second hand. The amount of the payout is based on a pay table and the amount wagered by the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Hard way true odds craps
    Patent number: 6802508
    Abstract: The game of craps is modified to allow a player to make an HARD WAY CRAPS bet instead of the standard ODDS bet. The HARD WAY CRAPS bet is available whenever a point number of 4, 6, 8, or 10 has been rolled and the player has a PASS line or COME line wager. If the point is 6 or 8, the HARD WAY CRAPS bet would pay two-to-one odds if the point is made with a 3,3 or 4,4 and would pay one-to-one odds if the point is made with any other roll. If the point is 4 or 10, the HARD WAY CRAPS bet would be pay four-to-one odds if the point is made with a 2,2 or 5,5 and would pay one-to-one odds if the point is made with any other roll. A corollary wager is offered for the DON'T PASS line or the DON'T COME line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody