Abstract: A gaming system includes a gaming table and a podium. The podium is located adjacent to a back portion of the gaming table and carries one or more optical readers. The readers are configured to read at least one wager placed approximately within a demarcated wagering area on a playing surface of the gaming table. The readers can be optical imagers, optical scanner, and/or video imagers. The podium and/or gaming table can carry a number of gaming automation components such as a card reader, a discard reader, chip tray, etc.

Abstract: A system reads an identifier from a hand of cards to identify the cards. For example, the system can read an identifier from a pair of cards forming the initial hand in blackjack, where the one card is face up and the other card is face down. The system determines the value of a hand of cards form the read identifiers. For example, the system can determine a value of an initial hand of two cards in blackjack, while only one card is face up. The system can inform a dealer of the value, or status based on value, of the hand. The system can determine whether cards forming a hand of cards are authenticate by validating the cards based on the read identifier. The system can determine if the cards forming the hand of cards are in an expected sequence based on a knowledge of the initial sequence of cards in a deck.

Abstract: A laminated cover for a casino gaming table, methods of manufacturing the cover, and methods of installing the cover are shown and described. The laminated cover includes a fabric sheet and a backing member adhered together. The laminated cover can be shaped to correspond to the shape of the gaming table. The fabric side of the laminated cover is printed to add features that are typically found on casino gaming tables such as betting circles or numbered squares. The features can be registered with respect to either the shape of the laminated cover or some other reference datum. In either aspect, the features on the cover will be consistently located with respect to the gaming table after each successive placement of the cover on the table.

Abstract: A system reads an identifier from a hand of cards to identify the cards. For example, the system can read an identifier from a pair of cards forming the initial hand in blackjack, where the one card is face up and the other card is face down. The system determines the value of a hand of cards form the read identifiers. For example, the system can determine a value of an initial hand of two cards in blackjack, while only one card is face up. The system can inform a dealer of the value, or status based on value, of the hand. The system can determine whether cards forming a hand of cards are authenticate by validating the cards based on the read identifier. The system can determine if the cards forming the hand of cards are in an expected sequence based on a knowledge of the initial sequence of cards in a deck.

Abstract: Identifiers are read from playing cards collected after completion of at least one hand of a card game, such as blackjack, and the value of a hand is determined from the resulting sequence of read identifiers (i.e., ending sequence). The playing cards are collected in a defined order, such as from players in order from a dealer's right to left, and finally from the dealer. The cards, and the play of the game, can be validated based at least in part on the ending sequence. Identifiers may also be read from cards before or while dealing the card game to produce an initial sequence.

Abstract: Gaming systems, methods, and devices for determining or verifying the outcome of a card game, for example the card game of Baccarat. The systems, methods, and devices can be used in conjunction with the card game to enhance security by optically imaging the hands of playing cards dealt or by optically reading a set of cards to determine the outcome of each game that can be played from that set of cards. The playing cards each have at least one encoded symbol comprised of machine-readable indicia. The gaming system can include a card shoe-reader alone, a card shoe-reader in combination with at least one card hand-reader, or various other embodiments to include other devices such as a discard reader or a bet recognition device. The optically imaged playing cards can be processed within a computing system to allow the authentication of the playing cards.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus determine a value of an initial hand of playing cards, such as determining whether a dealer has the value of twenty-one, and/or outcome of a game at some point before the dealer receives a second card. The initial sequence may be read, optically, magnetically or wireless from identifiers on the playing cards, before the playing cards are loaded in a card shoe, while the playing cards reside in the card shoe, or as playing cards are removed from the card shoe. Alternatively, the initial sequence may correspond to a computationally generated sequence, such as a computationally pseudo-random sequence.

Abstract: A dual-sided card deck allows for the contemporaneous play of two separate card games. The deck is comprised of a plurality of cards having a first set of values on a first side and a second set of values on a second side. A first card game is played using values assigned to symbols provided on the first side of each of the plurality of cards to determine the outcome of the first game. The outcome of a second card game is determined using the same hand of cards used to play the first game, but using values assigned to symbols provided on the second side of each of the plurality of cards held during the first game. To deter card counting, the symbols appearing on the first side of the plurality of cards can be pseudo-randomly generated and linked to the symbols appearing on the second side of the plurality of cards.

Abstract: A system automatically monitors playing and wagering of a game, including the gaming habits of players and the performance of employees at least partially by tracking the movement of chips bearing identifiers. A chip tray reader images the contents of a chip tray, while a table reader images chips on the gaming table. Chip identifiers may be associated with customer or player identifiers, the customer's or player's names may or may not be known. The system detects customer or player behavior such as prohibited playing and wagering patterns, and determines the win/loss percentage of the players and the dealer, as well as a number of other statistically relevant measures. The measurements provide automated security and real-time accounting. The measurements also provide a basis for automatically allocating complimentary player benefits.

Abstract: A computationally generated playing card sequence (e.g., pseudo-random, non pseudo-random, or partially pseudo-random) allows shuffled distribution of playing cards. Playing cards may be organized into card holders by at least one or a rank and a suit, and retrieved in the computationally generated order. Alternatively, playing cards may be organized into card holders in order of a computationally generated sequence, and retrieve as necessary. Unreadable playing cards may be automatically removed from play.

Abstract: A system reads an identifier from a hand of cards to identify the cards. For example, the system can read an identifier from a pair of cards forming the initial hand in blackjack, where the one card is face up and the other card is face down. The system determines the value of a hand of cards form the read identifiers. For example, the system can determine a value of an initial hand of two cards in blackjack, while only one card is face up. The system can inform a dealer of the value, or status based on value, of the hand. The system can determine whether cards forming a hand of cards are authentic by validating the cards based on the read identifier. The system can determine if the cards forming the hand of cards are in an expected sequence based on knowledge of the initial sequence of cards in a deck.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a gaming chip with a machine-readable symbol encoding a unique identifier for use in a casino environment and methods for producing the same. The present invention prints symbols and human-readable symbols onto a substrate where at least the symbol is machine-readable. The portions of the substrate having the printed symbols, human-readable symbols, or both can be formed into three-dimensional chip members such that the printed surfaces remain on the interior region of the chip member and readable from a region exterior to the gaming chip by a scanner or optical device. The chip members can be integrally formed into a gaming chip through the injection of filler material between the chip members. The injection molding process structurally and integrally bonds the respective chip members together.

Abstract: Identifiers are read from playing cards collected after completion of at least one hand of a card game, such as blackjack, and the value of a hand is determined from the resulting sequence of read identifiers (i.e., ending sequence). The playing cards are collected in a defined order, such as from players in order from a dealer's right to left, and finally from the dealer. The cards, and the play of the game, can be validated based at least in part on the ending sequence. Identifiers may also be read from cards before or while dealing the card game to produce an initial sequence.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and distributes playing cards according the pseudo-random playing card sequence. For example, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and prints playing cards in order of the pseudo-random playing card sequence. Further, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence based on a house advantage. Yet further, the method, apparatus and article can generate a promotional message on one or more playing cards.

Abstract: A system automatically monitors playing and wagering of a game, including the gaming habits of players and the performance of employees. A card deck reader automatically reads a symbol from each card in a deck of cards before a first one of the cards is removed. The symbol identifies a respective rank and suit of the card.

Abstract: Playing cards carry conductive material which may be wirelessly interrogated via radio frequency transmission to identify a rank and/or suit for monitoring a card game. Chips carry conductive material which may be wirelessly interrogated via radio frequency transmission to identify a value for monitoring wagering in a card game.

Abstract: A system reads an identifier from a hand of cards to identify the cards. For example, the system can read an identifier from a pair of cards forming the initial hand in blackjack, where the one card is face up and the other card is face down. The system determines the value of a hand of cards form the read identifiers. For example, the system can determine a value of an initial hand of two cards in blackjack, while only one card is face up. The system can inform a dealer of the value, or status based on value, of the hand. The system can determine whether cards forming a hand of cards are authenticate by validating the cards based on the read identifier. The system can determine if the cards forming the hand of cards are in an expected sequence based on a knowledge of the initial sequence of cards in a deck.

Abstract: A system automatically monitors playing and wagering of a game. A card deck reader automatically reads a symbol identifying a respective rank and suit of each card in a deck before a first cards is removed. A chip tray reader automatically images the contents of a chip tray for verifying that proper amounts have been paid out and collected. A table monitor automatically images the activity occurring at a gaming table. Periodic comparison of the images identifies wagering, as well as the appearance, removal and position of cards and other game objects on the gaming table. The system detects prohibited playing and wagering patterns, and determines the win/loss percentage of the players and the dealer, as well as a number of other statistically relevant measures. The measurements provide automated security and real-time accounting.

Abstract: A system automatically monitors playing and wagering of a game. A chip tray reader automatically images the contents of a chip tray, to periodically determine the number and value of chips in the chip tray, and to compare the change in contents of the chip tray to the outcome of game play for verifying that the proper amounts have been paid out and collected. A table monitor automatically images the activity occurring at a gaming table. Periodic comparison of the images identify wagering, as well as the appearance, removal and position of cards and other game objects on the gaming table. The system can produce measurements relevant to providing automated security, real-time accounting and providing a basis for automatically allocating complimentary player benefits.

Abstract: A system automatically monitors playing and wagering of a game. A table monitor in a chip tray automatically images the activity occurring at a gaming table, including the placement of wagers. A processor processes image date to locate wagering pieces, identify the value of each wagering piece, the amount of the wager, and to verify the authenticity of the wagering pieces.