Abstract: A multi-tiered wagering game and method, including a playing card wagering game, involves placing a first game wager and an optional second wager and entry fee to participate in the multi-tiered game. Cards are dealt by the dealer, two face down to the dealer and three face down to each player. Players inspect or "sweat" their cards and the dealer gives each player the opportunity to withdraw one part of the bet. Each player decides and the dealer then turns over one of the cards and again gives each player the opportunity to withdraw a second part of the bet. The players decide, their cards are shown, and based on the shown cards the remaining game wagers are resolved. Also based on the shown cards, players that placed the optional second wager and entry fee become eligible for bonus payouts and to participate in a second game to determine the winner of a super jackpot, respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for a progressive jackpot game where multiple gaming tables at multiple facilities are electronically linked to allow players at the multiple tables to play for a progressive jackpot as well as a fixed payout. Betting and winning hand information is input at the gaming tables, and the information is sent over a network to a facility computer that sends the information to a central computer. Multiple facility computers are linked to the central computer by telephone lines. The central computer compiles all the betting and winning hand information and computes the progressive jackpot amount. The progressive jackpot amount is sent to the facility computers that control electronic displays boards for displaying the jackpot amount.

Abstract: A playing card wagering game method which involves placing a three part bet. Cards are dealt by the dealer, two face down to the dealer and three face down to each player. Players inspect or "sweat" their cards and the dealer asks "take it or leave it?" with regard to one part of the bet. Each player decides and the dealer then turns over one of the cards and again asks "take it or leave it?" with regard to the second part of the bet. The players decide, their cards are shown, and all remaining bets are resolved.

Abstract: A progressive jackpot wagering game and method, including a playing card wagering game, involves placing a game wager and an optional jackpot wager. Cards are dealt by the dealer, two face down to the dealer and three face down to each player. Players inspect or "sweat" their cards and the dealer asks "take it or leave it?" with regard to one part of the bet. Each player decides and the dealer then turns over one of the cards and again asks "take it or leave it?" with regard to the second part of the bet. The players decide, their cards are shown, and based on the shown cards the game wagers are resolved. Also based on the shown cards, players become eligible for a second wagering game for determining a winner of the progressive jackpot.

Abstract: The present invention provides a floating jammed shuffle detector for use in a card shuffling machine. The detector has a body with a card contacting portion and a sensor interactive portion. A detector housing and a photosensor are provided. The sensor interactive portion has an aperture of a predetermined size. The detector, particularly the body, is reciprocally mounted in the housing, whereby the card contacting portion of the detector contacts the uppermost card of a deck of cards and the sensor interactive portion is received in the photosensor. Depending on the sensed position of the card contacting portion of the detector, the machine receives a reshuffle or proceed command.

Abstract: A playing card wagering game method which involves each player placing a three part bet. Cards are dealt by the dealer, two face down to the dealer and three face down to each player. Players inspect or "sweat" their cards and the dealer gives each player the choice of withdrawing or leaving a first part of the bet. Each player decides and the dealer then turns over one of the cards and again gives each player the choice of withdrawing or leaving the second part of the bet. The players decide, their cards are shown, and all remaining bets, which were not withdrawn, are resolved.

Abstract: An automatic card shuffling machine including a dealing module and a display module. The machine has a microprocessor and a deck-receiving shuffling station into which a deck of cards is deposited initially. A carriage mechanism separates the deck into two deck portions, rotates the two portions to a relative angular relationship with a corner of each in close proximity, riffles the portions, and combines them into a single shuffled deck. A shuffled deck delivery system delivers the shuffled deck to the dealing module which moves a predetermined number of cards, one at a time, into a hand holding shoe. The display module displays game information to players. The machine is particularly well-suited for playing pai gow poker.

Abstract: Apparatus for randomly cutting a deck of cards. The apparatus supports the deck of cards in stacked registration and slides the cards in a common direction to offset or "shingle" the cards in the deck. A probe is moved into the offset zone of the shingled deck and is caused to stop at a randomly selected location in the zone. Means is provided for moving the shingled deck relative to the probe to engage the leading edge of the probe with a card to separate the card from a contiguous card and randomly cut the deck into a sub-deck on one side of the probe and a sub-deck on the other side of the probe. The cut is preferably made in the range of cards 20-32 in a 52 card deck.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game, such as pai gow poker, is provided. The method involves playing the game according to its generally accepted set of rules and procedures, to its usual wager-resolving outcome, and making an additional wager having an additional wager-resolving outcome, wherein the additional wager is related to one of the procedures. An apparatus for playing the wagering game includes a typical game playing surface with an additional wagering area, a device for randomly selecting a symbol according to the generally accepted set of rules and procedures, and a display device for displaying the symbol. The additional wager relates to the randomly selected symbol.

Abstract: Discloses an apparatus automatically shuffling a deck of cards. The device includes a deck stacking zone, a carriage section for separating the deck into two portions, a sloped mechanism for disposition between adjacent corners of the deck and apparatus for snapping the cards over the sloped mechanism, thereby interleafing the cards. Push members are provided to slide the interleafed deck portions into a single stack. Mechanism is also present for transporting the shuffled deck into a dealing shoe.