Abstract: A storage apparatus and system, especially for kitchens. The apparatus includes a stationary counter portion, a moveable island riser, a lift assembly, and a guide assembly including vertically mounted guide shafts that support guide bearings situated in a housing mounted to the moveable island riser. Electronic sensors protect against operation of the lift assembly when interfering objects are sensed, and then lift assembly operation is interrupted. The moveable island riser provides cabinet space or shelving and may be provided with electrical outlets for use with common kitchen appliances.

Abstract: Described is a method of playing a wagering game that comprises the player making multiple wagers to play a single-outcome game, the multiple wagers being made on multiple predetermined paytables for said game. One single-outcome game and at least two differing paytables for said game are offered to the player. The paytables may be for different game versions or for a single game version with differing risk levels. The payback percentage of each of the said differing paytables may vary according to the amount of the wager. The player makes one wager for each predetermined paytable to be utilized in the resolve of the wagers. Multiple same paytables, multiple differing paytables or combinations thereof may be wagered for the play of a single game having a single outcome. The said single outcome is then compared to each wagered predetermined paytable, and each wager is resolved according to that same wagered predetermined paytable.

Abstract: In a symbol providing game or video poker game, the player makes a wager to play an underlying symbol providing game such as a slot-type game or a draw poker game. An additional or side bet may be required to utilize the discard gameplay option. A predetermined number of cards are dealt face-up to form an initial hand. The player may select to hold none, one, some or all of the dealt cards. The player then may choose none or at least one of the unheld cards (“discards”)—if any discards are available—to receive a narrowed selection of possible replacement cards. The narrowing of the number of possible replacement cards will most likely increase the odds of receiving a replacement card that will ultimately enhance the initial deal. The narrowed replacement card selection is based on predetermined criteria relative to the discard, a player selection, or a processor selected basis.

Abstract: A method of playing a poker event wagering game comprises: a player placing an underlying wager of X credits in the wagering game where Z partial hands are provided in a display step in the wagering game; displaying Z partial hands in the display step; the player wagering Y credits on one of the Z partial hands as a wager that the one of the Z partial hands will be a best hand from among all Z hands at the conclusion of the poker wagering game when the final hands will comprise N cards, wherein Y<X; and X-Y credits being wagered against a paytable for ranks attained against the paytable for each distinct numbers of cards in the Z hands selected from the group consisting of partial hands, intermediate hands and final hands of N cards.

Abstract: A bonus game is initiated when a specific trigger is achieved in a main game. This bonus game may be virtual, mechanical/virtual or mechanical, and may replace the main game on the main screen, or appear in a separate screen or as a top box. Masked or non-masked cards, symbols or credit amounts are distributed into characteristic-specific pools, the aggregate card, symbols or credit amount in each pool having a relationship to each other. The amounts are compared, and specific predetermined relationships may provide wins, losses or termination criteria.

Abstract: A player places a wager to participate in the play of the game. An initial deal of at least two partial hands of poker is dealt from a deck of cards. The player chooses at least one initial partial hand that will be placed into all or some wagered hands, and then chooses to play the wagered hand or hands as either a 5-card stud game, a 6-card stud game, a 7-card stud game, a split of 5-, 6-, or 7-card stud games, or a combination of those games Cards from the depleted deck are then dealt into each wagered hand, completing each hand to the chosen limit of cards according to the game selected. All wagered hands would then be compared to a predetermined pay table, and winnings awarded for certain combinations or ranks.

Abstract: A player places an ante wager to participate in the play of the underlying card game. An initial deal of at least one communal partial hand of poker consisting of at least one card is dealt from a single (or multiple) standard deck(s) of cards, standard deck(s) of cards with certain cards removed, or standard deck(s) of cards that is augmented by wild cards or jokers, especially with a partial communal hand consisting of two face-up cards. The player is directed to consider the partial hand and is then directed to choose to play the partial hand as either a 5-card stud game, a 6-card stud game, or a 7-card stud game by placing an additional Play wager on a particular Play Bet circle (i.e., the 5-card game, the 6-card game or the 7-card stud game. Three additional community cards are then dealt face up to complete the 5-card stud hand, and subsequently a 4th and 5th community card.

Abstract: A display is provided on which symbols may be provided for use in a slot-type wagering game. Symbols are displayed on sectioned geometrical shapes such as ovals, squares, circles, polygons, etc. Specific symbol combinations, particularly comprised of one symbol appearing on one section of each sectioned geometric shape or all symbols appearing on all sections of one sectioned geometric shape, may constitute a winning combination according to a predetermined pay table. Preferably the invention incorporates three 3-section circular reels, providing 30 different pay lines and an additional pay line incorporating all nine sections of the reels.

Abstract: A method of playing a video wagering game may comprise: placing a first wager on an underlying game in which symbols are provided to a player; selecting at least one symbol to be a special award winning symbol; playing the underlying game; determining a wagering outcome in the wagering game based upon rules; evaluating the symbols provided to determine if any special award symbol is present in a manner that offers a special award resolving the special award if present. The game may also include providing an additional related subset of symbols if the special award is present; selecting at least one of the second subset of symbols to be a greater or top winning prize; determining an outcome depending on the rules of the bonus game; and evaluating symbols provided to determine if any award symbol arrangement is present in a manner that offers a greater award.

Abstract: A method of playing a virtual or virtual/mechanical multireel slot game. A grid of at least 3 rows×3 columns, but preferably 3 rows×5 columns, is presented on a screen, with a second, opaque blanketing layer of color or graphics over the grid, so as to hide symbols on the reels below. After the wager, reels on the bottom layer spin (or are virtually and randomly positioned in any manner), hidden from the player by the blanketing layer. An “erasing” indicium then glides from outside the grid (preferably across the top row of 5 reels, from left to right), over the blanketing layer, erasing the color layer to expose the symbols on the reels below. The indicium preferably (or always) moves in one direction only until it hits the end of a row, the top or bottom of a column, or a revealed symbol that alters movement of the indicium. When the indicium encounters this situation, it may hesitate for a moment, then randomly pick a direction in which to continue.

Abstract: An apparatus that enables a gaming method and the gaming method of playing a wagering game comprises providing a gaming display area including game areas that may be indicated as enclosed by edge features. Edge features are positioned on the gaming display area. Positioning of edge features is then ceased according to rules of the wagering game to a final count of edge features. After the final count of edge features has been deposited and symbols are present on the display area, it is determined if the edge features enclose symbols according to rules of the wagering game. It is then determined if any symbols enclosed by edge features according to the rules of the game establish a winning event, losing event or push event in the game.

Abstract: A method of playing a primary poker game which allows for the play of three to ten 5-card hands for a single wager; increasing the wager before the initial deal allows for a secondary game which provides a same single additional card to be added to each hand in the primary game, creating a 6-card stud hand. A single deck of 52 or up to 54 (with jokers) cards is utilized in the play of the primary game. Unlike most multiple play games, each card in the deck is used only once in the totality of primary game hands, there being no duplication of any particular card. The single additional card for the secondary game, which is then duplicated into each of the primary 5-card hands, is dealt from the remaining unused cards. The method of play in the primary game requires a choice of playing from three to ten hands at once, the additional choice of placing from three to ten cards (“Place ?Em cards”) into the chosen number of hands, and a wager of equal or unequal credits per hand to be played.

Abstract: A video wagering game is played by placing at least one bet; receiving a first set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in reading the symbols; determining the rank of the first set of symbols as a first rank; receiving at least a second set of symbols from which a rank may be determined in reading the symbols; determining the rank of the second set of symbols; comparing the rank of the second set of symbols to the rank of the second set of symbols; determining whether the rank of said second set of symbols ties or exceeds the first rank; and resolving the at least one bet with respect to whether the second rank ties or exceeds the first rank.

Abstract: A wagering game has a dealer compete against a player. The game comprises at least one player (up to as many as a table can hold, or even on-line with large numbers of players) placing a wager on the game. The at least one player and the dealer receive a single card with a rank from a set of cards to form an at least one player hand and a dealer hand. The at least one player takes at least one mandatory hit card attempting to receive a first hit card having a specific relationship in rank to the single card in the at least one player hand. If the at least one mandatory hit card has the specific relationship in rank to the single card, or if the at least one mandatory hit card allows the at least one player to continue the game according to rules of play of the wagering game, the player having the option of taking another hit card, attempting to receive another hit card having a specific relationship in rank to the first hit card.

Abstract: A pay line system has a novel type of pay line that can be provided in a variety of different display systems, including at least 3×3 reel-type displays, 3×4, 4×3, 3×5, 5×3, 4×5 and 5×4 displays. The pay lines are preferably displayed on 3×5 or 5×3 window formats and comprise a predetermined number of frames (e.g., at least three or at least four frames) that are in an ordered or sequential adjacent relationship with other frames, there is a winning payline established. The length of a payline is limited only by the total number of frames in the display.

Abstract: A pay line system has a novel type of pay line that can be provided in a variety of different display systems, including at least 3×3 reel-type displays, 3×4, 4×3, 3×5, 5×3, 4×5 and 5×4 displays. The pay lines are preferably displayed on 3×5 or 5×3 window formats and comprise “horseshoe” arrays of frames or H-Configuration arrays of frames. The horseshoe arrays may be provided with the horseshoe opening at 0°, 90°, 180°, 270° with respect to vertical on the screen or with respect to the vertical orientation of a column, and the horseshoe may have three adjacent frames parallel to three of the four sides of the rectangular display created by the columns and rows. In a 3×5 display format, this allows for the horseshoe pay lines to provide twelve new pay lines and six H-Configuration pay lines. These new 7-symbol pay lines may be in addition to other pay lines or as alternatives to other pay lines. The preferred pay line is a series of three lines of equal dimensions (e.g.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus provides symbols to determine winning outcomes. An object-element passes in a path through displayed pathways on a display. As the object-element passes over symbol collecting positions on the display in the pathways, symbols on collecting positions are activated as part of a game display. The gaming apparatus provides at least one award for predetermined combinations of symbols. The object-element should collect at least two symbols in a single pass through the path.