Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a major progressive jackpot linked to wagering games having different jackpot triggers with different probabilities. The major jackpot winning probabilities may be normalized such that players may have the substantially the same odds to win the major progressive jackpot regardless on the wagering game being played. During game play, the gaming stations may be randomly selected to participate for a chance to win the major progressive jackpot according to an eligibility probability, which may be inversely proportional to the probability of a jackpot trigger for the wagering game administered by the gaming station. Players may be informed of whether the current round of game play is eligible for the major progressive jackpot after wagers are placed and before the current round of game play.

Abstract: A bet sensor for sensing values of gaming tokens may include a bet placement surface configured and oriented to support a stack of gaming tokens thereon and an image sensor located and oriented to capture an image of a lateral side surface of at least one gaming token located on the bet placement surface. The image may depict the lateral side surface in a radial format. The bet sensor may include a processor in communication with the image sensor. The processor is configured to acquire image data from the image and analyze the image data to determine a wager value of the at least one gaming token. A gaming table may include such a bet sensor. The disclosure includes methods of operating such a gaming table.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating a major progressive jackpot linked to wagering games having different jackpot triggers with different probabilities. The major jackpot winning probabilities may be normalized such that players may have substantially the same odds to win the major progressive jackpot regardless on the wagering game being played. During game play, the gaming stations may be randomly selected to participate for a chance to win the major progressive jackpot according to an eligibility probability, which may be inversely proportional to the probability of a jackpot trigger for the wagering game administered by the gaming station. Players may be informed of whether the current round of game play is eligible for the major progressive jackpot after wagers are placed and before the current round of game play.

Abstract: A bet sensor for sensing values of gaming tokens may include a bet placement surface configured and oriented to support a stack of gaming tokens thereon and an image sensor located and oriented to capture an image of a lateral side surface of at least one gaming token located on the bet placement surface. The image may depict the lateral side surface in a radial format. The bet sensor may include a processor in communication with the image sensor. The processor is configured to acquire image data from the image and analyze the image data to determine a wager value of the at least one gaming token. A gaming table may include such a bet sensor. The disclosure includes methods of operating such a gaming table.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are presented for operating a generalized progressive gaming system which offers a common progressive jackpot for a various games with different sets of winning hands and different denominations. The generalized progressive system represents a jackpot in terms of probability and adds a normalizing random event to a player's bet and the hand player receives. In order to win a jackpot the player must receive a qualified hand and a combined probability of these two events, namely a hand and a normalizing random event, must be smaller than a required value. Any qualified hand can win the jackpot. Handling of various denominations is proposed. Generalized progressive system apparatus is also provided that includes a display, a user interface, a processor and a server.

Abstract: A gaming table includes input sensors which are configured to receive multiple inputs from a player. The sensors are linked to a gaming table controller and are configured to receive different types of inputs from players at different times. One input may comprise a wager input in the form of one or more chips which are associated with the sensor. Another input may comprise a game play input, such as a spin input for a bonus game, received by a player placing their hand proximate to the sensor.

Abstract: A method of playing and presenting a game, such as at an electronic gaming device, offers players the opportunity for multi-tier wagering and side or proposition bets. In one embodiment a card game offers an ante, secondary, tertiary and quaternary wagering options on a player hand against a dealer hand and proposition bets on the player and/or dealer hands. The game may comprise a card game in which initial cards are dealt to each player and the dealer and then then community flop, river and turn cards are dealt, with each player and the dealer forming a best five card poker hand from seven cards.

Abstract: Methods of administering games of roulette may involve accepting a wager may from a player. A multiplier may be randomly selected from a group of fixed multipliers for a payout on the wager. A number and associated color may be randomly generated from within a range of numbers and associated colors. The wager may be resolved by determining whether the randomly generated number is identical to a randomly generated number from an immediately preceding round. A payout may be paid to the player when the randomly generated number is identical to the randomly generated number from the immediately preceding round, an amount of the payout being equal to an amount of the wager multiplied by the randomly selected multiplier. The amount of the wager may be collected for the house when the randomly generated number is different from the randomly generated number from the immediately preceding round.

Abstract: Methods of administering games of roulette may involve accepting a wager may from a player. A multiplier may be randomly selected from a group of fixed multipliers for a payout on the wager. A number and associated color may be randomly generated from within a range of numbers and associated colors. The wager may be resolved by determining whether the randomly generated number is identical to a randomly generated number from an immediately preceding round. A payout may be paid to the player when the randomly generated number is identical to the randomly generated number from the immediately preceding round, an amount of the payout being equal to an amount of the wager multiplied by the randomly selected multiplier. The amount of the wager may be collected for the house when the randomly generated number is different from the randomly generated number from the immediately preceding round.

Abstract: A bet sensor for sensing values of gaming tokens may include a bet placement surface configured and oriented to support a stack of gaming tokens thereon and an image sensor located and oriented to capture an image of a lateral side surface of at least one gaming token located on the bet placement surface. The image may depict the lateral side surface in a radial format. The bet sensor may include a processor in communication with the image sensor. The processor is configured to acquire image data from the image and analyze the image data to determine a wager value of the at least one token. A gaming table may include such a bet sensor. The disclosure includes methods of operating such a gaming table.

Abstract: A bet sensor for determining the value of a wager includes an at least partially transparent cover having a bet placement surface configured and oriented to support a stack of gaming tokens thereon. The bet sensor includes a mirror arrangement disposed on an opposing side of the at least partially transparent cover from the bet placement surface. The mirror arrangement is located and configured to provide a view greater than 180 degrees of a lateral side surface of the stack of gaming tokens when supported on the bet placement surface. Another bet sensor may include an at least partially transparent cover having a bet placement surface and an image sensor located substantially directly below the bet placement surface, the image sensor configured to capture a view greater than 180 degrees of a lateral side surface of the stack of gaming tokens when supported on the bet placement surface.

Abstract: A bet sensor for sensing values of gaming tokens may include a bet placement surface configured and oriented to support a stack of gaming tokens thereon and an image sensor located and oriented to capture an image of a lateral side surface of at least one gaming token located on the bet placement surface. The image may depict the lateral side surface in a radial format. The bet sensor may include a processor in communication with the image sensor. The processor is configured to acquire image data from the image and analyze the image data to determine a wager value of the at least one token. A gaming table may include such a bet sensor. The disclosure includes methods of operating such a gaming table.

Abstract: An automatic card-handling device, having a card-handling device that includes a controller, the card-handling device configured for shuffling an input set of cards and delivering an output set of cards resulting from the shuffling; and a communication module operably coupled to the controller, wherein the communication module is configured for sending and receiving information related to operation of the card-handling device across a communication port configured for operable coupling to a cellular network, wherein the information related to the operation of the automatic card-handling device includes information about the use of the card-handling device; and wherein a factor in a usage fee for the card-handling device is use of the card-handling device.

Abstract: An automatic card handling device, automatic card handling devices within a network, and methods of use are disclosed. An automatic card handling device includes a shuffling apparatus with a controller and configured to deliver a set of shuffled cards, and a communication module operably coupled to the controller. The communication module is configured for establishing an electronic communication with a local or world-wide network and thereafter sending and receiving information related to the operation of the automatic card handling device across the network. A network of automatic card handling devices may include a plurality of automatic card shufflers. The network may also include at least one server operably coupled to the plurality of automatic card shufflers. In addition, the server may be operably coupled to a service center through a world-wide network.

Abstract: Systems and methods of operating progressive jackpots linked to wagering games having different jackpot triggers with different probabilities. The jackpot winning probabilities may be normalized such that players may have the substantially the same odds to win the major progressive jackpot regardless on the wagering game being played. The jackpot triggers may be associated with particular wagering game outcomes. The jackpot triggers may also be associated with a prize of a segment of a spin wheel that is spun in response to the occurrence of a particular wagering game outcome. The spin wheel may be displayed on a player interface of a gaming machine in response to the particular wagering game outcome.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are presented for operating a generalized progressive gaming system which offers a common progressive jackpot for a various games with different sets of winning hands and different denominations. The generalized progressive system represents a jackpot in terms of probability and adds a normalizing random event to a player's bet and the hand player receives. In order to win a jackpot the player must receive a qualified hand and a combined probability of these two events, namely a hand and a normalizing random event, must be smaller than a required value. Any qualified hand can win the jackpot. Handling of various denominations is proposed. Generalized progressive system apparatus is also provided that includes a display, a user interface, a processor and a server.

Abstract: An automatic card handling device, automatic card handling devices within a network, and methods of use are disclosed. An automatic card handling device includes a shuffling apparatus with a controller and configured to deliver a set of shuffled cards, and a communication module operably coupled to the controller. The communication module is configured for establishing an electronic communication with a local or world-wide network and thereafter sending and receiving information related to the operation of the automatic card handling device across the network. A network of automatic card handling devices may include a plurality of automatic card shufflers. The network may also include at least one server operably coupled to the plurality of automatic card shufflers. In addition, the server may be operably coupled to a service center through a world-wide network.

Abstract: An automatic card handling device, having a card handling device that includes a controller, the card handling device configured for shuffling an input set of cards and delivering an output set of cards resulting from the shuffling; and a communication module operably coupled to the controller, wherein the communication module is configured for sending and receiving information related to operation of the card handling device across a communication port configured for operable coupling to a cellular network, wherein the information related to the operation of the automatic card handling device includes information about the use of the card handling device; and wherein a factor in a usage fee for the card handling device is use of the card handling device.

Abstract: A bet sensor for determining the value of a wager includes an at least partially transparent cover having a bet placement surface configured and oriented to support a stack of gaming tokens thereon. The bet sensor includes a mirror arrangement disposed on an opposing side of the at least partially transparent cover from the bet placement surface. The mirror arrangement is located and configured to provide a view greater than 180 degrees of a lateral side surface of the stack of gaming tokens when supported on the bet placement surface. Another bet sensor may include an at least partially transparent cover having a bet placement surface and an image sensor located substantially directly below the bet placement surface, the image sensor configured to capture a view greater than 180 degrees of a lateral side surface of the stack of gaming tokens when supported on the bet placement surface.