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 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 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 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.

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 device for use with reading wagers that includes but is not limited to an illuminator having at least one emitter of monochromatic light orientable to illuminate a defined wager location; an imager system orientable to receive light from an illuminated object, if any, at the defined wager location; and a symbol identifier coupled to receive image data from the imaging system.

Abstract: A system automatically monitors playing and wagering of a game, including the gaming habits of players and the performance of employees. A table monitor automatically images the activity occurring at a gaming table, including the placement of wagers. The system detects, among other things wins and losses, and the amounts won and lost by a player. The system provides a basis for automatically allocating complimentary player benefits, for example based on the amounts won/lost or wagered.

Abstract: A method for determining wagers by applying a chip denomination representation, having at least one angle associated with at least one color transition, against a working chip template. A related system includes, but is not limited to, circuitry and/or programming for effecting the foregoing-referenced method; the circuitry and/or programming can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware configured to effect the foregoing-referenced method embodiments depending upon the design choices of the system designer.

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: One or more actual hands of playing cards are verified against respective expected hands of playing cards, to determine whether the playing cards actually dealt correspond to the playing cards that should have been dealt based on a starting sequence of playing card values. The starting sequence of playing card values can be computationally pseudo-randomly generated, where playing cards will be ordered, for example by printing or sorting, according to the sequence for distribution to the player and/or dealer. The starting sequence of playing card values can be determined by reading identifiers from a number of playing cards prior to dealing.