Game of chance using patterns of symbols having at least two defining criteria

Abstract

A casino game of chance utilizes a short deck of cards having only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces from a conventional deck of cards. After receiving a wager from a player, a five-card hand is dealt to the player from the short deck of cards. The player is permitted to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding number of additional cards. The wager is then resolved according to the five-card hand. In one playing mode, multiple short decks of cards are configured from multiple conventional decks of cards, where each of the multiple short decks of cards has at least one distinguishing characteristic. In this context, the payout may be multiplied if the five-card hand includes cards with matching distinguishing characteristics.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 09/966,070, filed Oct. 1, 2001, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 09/437,238, filed Nov. 10, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,860, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in this application.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] (NOT APPLICABLE)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to games of chance and, more particularly, to games of chance defining winning patterns of symbols having at least two defining criteria, which patterns are randomly generated.

[0004] With the expansion of casino gaming, the trend toward machine games rather than table games and the attraction of video games over traditional slot reel games, there has been a growth in demand for new video casino games. The majority of these games, however, have many similarities to traditional slot reel games and/or other video casino games.

[0005] Secondary screens with bonus features or games within games have become popular. The secondary bonus games reduce the win frequency and payoff in the primary game to enable an extra payoff in the secondary game. Multi-line games have also become popular, wherein, for example, all visible horizontal lines may be played rather than a single middle line. Other lines such as diagonals may also offer payoffs. Multi-line play in a video poker format is described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,823,873 and 5,732,950. Multi-line play allows a hand to be played on multiple lines with the subsequent draw as in original video poker applying to all hands. All multi-line games require multiple credits to play; that is, to play a three-line game for a maximum of five units per line requires fifteen credits, being three times the number of credits to play the traditional single line. Whilst the majority of players may play a multi-line game in the same monetary value denomination as a single line game, some players may trade down to a lower denomination, which is undesirable to the casino operator. Additionally, with multi-line play, the actual hit frequency increases although the win frequency may be lower. When a player with fifteen credits has two winning lines paying five credits each, the result is that there is actually a loss of five credits. In single line play, a partial loss situation could not occur as the minimum winning result is a return of the full five credits.

[0006] The mathematics of gaming dictate that where hit frequency increases, payoffs must decrease, therefore, game volatility is affected. Volatility is the comparative relationship between high payoffs, low payoffs and losses. A high volatility offers prospects of a positive result and may attract a more serious gambler, whereas limited volatility may attract a player wishing to pass the time.

[0007] Both multi-line games and secondary bonus games are thus not necessarily as attractive to traditional players.

[0008] Strip deck stud poker is a popular player versus player game. In strip deck stud poker, a poker game is played with typically one but possibly more decks of cards formed by modifying conventional decks of cards. Typically, the conventional deck of cards is modified by removing particular cards from the deck, such as for example all cards having a face value of six and lower, thus leaving only sevens and higher.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] With the modes of play according to the present invention, the game of chance such as a modified poker game is played using symbols having two or more defining criteria. For example, playing card symbols have two criteria, being rank and suit. These and other criteria such as card shape and card color can be combined to create innovative modes of play. Although suitable as a table game, the game is preferably played in a dedicated unit with displayed informational and promotional material, which may be shown on a video display or other screens. The actual game is played on the video display via a video game unit that is programmed via computer software. Such a configuration is particularly suited for a casino slot format. After establishing credits within any of the customary prepayment formats and determining the denomination of credits, if applicable, the player is ready to participate in the game.

[0010] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of playing a game of chance includes the steps of (a) configuring a short deck of cards using only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces from a conventional deck of cards; (b) receiving a wager from a player; (c) dealing a five-card hand to the player from the short deck of cards; (d) enabling the player to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding number of additional cards; and (e) resolving the wager according to the five-card hand.

[0011] Step (e) may be practiced by taking the wager or paying a payout based on a poker ranking of the five-card hand. In this context, step (e) is further practiced by taking the wager when the poker ranking is less than a predetermined ranking, such as a Straight. Step (a) may be practiced by configuring multiple short decks of cards from multiple conventional decks of cards, wherein each of the multiple short decks of cards has at least one distinguishing characteristic, and wherein step (e) is practiced by multiplying the payout by a first multiplier if the five-card hand comprises cards with matching distinguishing characteristics. Alternatively, each of the multiple short decks of cards may have two distinguishing characteristics, wherein step (e) is further practiced by multiplying the payout by the first multiplier if the five-card hand comprises cards matching a first of the two distinguishing characteristics; multiplying the payout by a second multiplier if the five-card hand comprises cards matching a second of the two distinguishing characteristics; and multiplying the payout by a third multiplier if the five-card hand comprises cards matching both of the two distinguishing characteristics. The third multiplier may be a combination of the first multiplier and the second multiplier. Preferably, the two distinguishing characteristics comprise card color and card shape.

[0012] The payout preferably increases with higher poker rankings.

[0013] In another operating mode, step (b) may be practiced by accruing funds for a progressive jackpot component, wherein step (e) is practiced by paying a progressive jackpot if the five-card hand has a poker ranking higher than a predetermined jackpot ranking, such as Royal Flush and/or Five of a Kind. The jackpot payout for Royal Flush may be limited to a specific deck, or jackpot payout for Five of a Kind may be limited to a specific rank, such as Ace. Moreover, the step of accruing funds may be practiced by allocating a portion of the wager or by receiving a separate jackpot wager from the player.

[0014] In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method of playing a poker game is provided using at least one short deck of cards, the short deck of cards being configured from a conventional deck of cards using only N different cards in each suit. The method includes the steps of (a) receiving a wager from a player; (b) dealing a player hand from the short deck of cards, the player hand having N cards; (c) enabling the player to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding number of additional cards; and (d) resolving the wager according to the player hand.

[0015] In still another exemplary embodiment of the invention, an apparatus is configured for playing the game of chance according to the invention. The apparatus includes a display, a player interface for receiving player input, and a processor configured to effect game play. The apparatus may be configured for play over a global network.

[0016] In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a game of chance includes structure for carrying out the method of the invention, and another exemplary embodiment utilizes the short deck or decks without the draw option. In this embodiment, a matrix of cards may be dealt or displayed, wherein the player hand includes multiple hands defined according to lines of the matrix.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the structure effecting game play according to the apparatus of the present invention;

[0019] FIG. 2 is an exemplary display for illustrating the game concept according to the invention; and

[0020] FIG. 3 is another exemplary display for illustrating the game concept according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing the components of a video game unit 10 configured or programmed with software for playing the game according to the invention. The software and programming of the game unit for carrying out the games according to the invention do not form part of the present invention and will thus not be further described. Those of ordinary skill in the art will contemplate various known means for such software and programming, and the invention is not meant to be limited to any particular means.

[0022] The game unit 10 includes a display 12, a player interface 14, and circuitry 16 for effecting game play and including structure for randomly generating patterns of symbols according to the present invention. The processing circuit 16 effects game play according to the rules of the game and resolves wagers based on a player's hand of cards and a comparison with established winning poker rankings.

[0023] The general concepts according to the invention will be first described in conjunction with an application to a symbol representation of conventional dice. As shown in FIG. 2, the dice D are comprised of six-sided cubes with each side having a numerical value of 1-6, respectively, shown as spots in a square. Each die is preferably also colored, and four or more different colors may be provided. The dice symbol representation in the following examples is exemplary, and those of ordinary skill in the art will contemplate variations of core features according to the invention with or without the dice representations. The description is thus for exemplary purposes, and the invention is not meant to be limited to the described application.

[0024] The processor 16 drives the display 12 to display a pattern of symbols, such as the 4×6 matrix of dice symbols illustrated in FIG. 2. Payoff scales, rules and promotional material may also be displayed when the game is not being played. Upon commencing the game, play credits are established by a player by any suitable method including either coin or bill insertion or player card methodology via the player interface 14. Once a playing mode is established, the player activates the game via the player interface 14, and the display simulates a dice “roll” through a random number generation sequence of the appropriate number of, twenty-four in this example, different possibilities until stopping at a randomly generated resulting pattern. If the resulting pattern matches one of the winning patterns, the player is awarded credits according to the payout schedules for the selected game. Exemplary rankings of combination structures and winning patterns within each group are as follows: 1 One Pair Three of a Kind Four of a Kind Five of a Kind Six of a Kind Two Pair Three Pair Three of a Kind and a Pair Three of a Kind and Three of a Kind Four of a Kind and a Pair Straight 1 2 3 4 5 6 in any order Flush all six the same color Straight Flush 1 2 3 4 5 6 in any order all in the same color Sequential Straight Flush 1 2 3 4 5 6 in order all in the same color

[0025] The lowest possible hand is one pair as a hand without a pair would automatically be a straight. Therefore, there may not be payoffs awarded on some of the lower ranked hands such as one pair, two pair and three of a kind. The payout scales vary for each game and are generally based on the probability of achieving a particular winning pattern.

[0026] In one particular operating mode of the present invention, the principles incorporating multiple defining criteria is applied in a variant of conventional poker. In this particular poker variant, a short deck of cards is configured using only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces from a conventional deck of cards. After receiving at least a first wager from a player, a multi-card hand is dealt to the player from the short deck of cards. Preferably, the multi-card hand is a five-card hand. With the short deck of cards, a Pair is the lowest possible hand as a hand without a pair would automatically be a Straight. Subsequently, the player may be permitted to discard one or more cards and draw a corresponding number of additional cards in an attempt to achieve a premium hand. The player wager is then resolved according to the five-card hand. That is, the wager may be taken or a payout may be paid based on a poker ranking of the five-card hand. In this context, the wager is taken when the poker ranking is less than a predetermined ranking, such as a Straight. In an alternative operating mode, the draw option is omitted.

[0027] In applying the multiple defining criteria concept to the short deck poker variant described above, multiple short decks of cards may be configured from multiple conventional decks of cards, where each of the multiple short decks of cards has at least one distinguishing characteristic, such as card color and/or shape. Conventional playing cards in and of themselves have two defining criteria, being suit and rank. Providing multiple decks with different colors or shapes creates a third criteria, and providing multiple decks with different colors and different shapes results in four defining criteria. With the addition of the third or fourth defining criteria, the game may be embodied without the draw option. In this context, like the dice symbol embodiment discussed above, the “dealt” hands may be encompassed in a matrix display of card images from the short deck, with multiple player “hands” each being defined by a line (horizontal, vertical, pattern, etc.) in the matrix. For example, with reference to FIG. 3, a 5×5 matrix of cards may be displayed, and the game played in a manner similar to the format discussed above with reference to FIG. 2.

[0028] In the short deck poker game discussed above, a payout could be multiplied, for example, by a first multiplier, if the five-card hand comprises cards with matching distinguishing characteristics. That is, if one or more of the player's five-card hand(s) a has a poker ranking exceeding the predetermined ranking such that the wager is a winning wager, and if the five-card hand is made up of cards with matching distinguishing characteristics, such as shape or color, the payout is multiplied by the first multiplier. In the embodiment where the decks of cards have two distinguishing characteristics, such as shape and color, still additional options for multiplying the payout may be provided. For example, the payout may be multiplied by a first multiplier if the five-card hand includes cards matching a first of the two distinguishing characteristics, such as color. Alternatively, the payout may be multiplied by a second multiplier if the five-card hand includes cards matching a second of the two distinguishing characteristics, such as shape. Finally, the payout may be multiplied by a third multiplier if the five-card hand includes cards matching both of the two distinguishing characteristics. The third multiplier may be a combination of the first multiplier and the second multiplier.

[0029] Of course, according to the payout scale, the payout increases with higher poker rankings. Preferred poker rankings using a single short deck and multiple short decks are as follows: 2 Single Deck Multi Deck Pair Pair 2 Pair 2 Pair 3 of a Kind 3 of a Kind Straight Straight Full House Flush Four of a Kind Full House Royal Flush Four of a Kind Royal Flush Five of a Kind Five of a Color Five of a Shape Five of a Color and Shape

[0030] As an additional component of the short deck poker variant according to the present invention, funds may be accrued for a progressive jackpot component, wherein a progressive jackpot is paid out if the five-card hand has a poker ranking higher than a predetermined jackpot ranking such as a Royal Flush and/or Five of a Kind. The progressive jackpot may accrue funds from multiple players over time until the progressive jackpot is won, whereupon the entire jackpot or a portion thereof is paid out, and the accrual of wagers is restarted. The funds may be accrued from a portion of the player wager or alternatively by a separate jackpot wager from the player. In the game according to the invention using multiple short decks of cards, each having at least one distinguishing characteristic, the predetermined jackpot ranking may be Royal Flush with cards having matching distinguishing characteristics. Alternatively, the predetermined jackpot ranking can be Royal Flush with cards of a specific deck determined according to its distinguishing characteristic, such as the “blue” deck for example, and/or Five of a Kind of a specific rank, such as Ace for example. With these higher criteria, instances of a jackpot payout are significantly reduced, thereby ultimately resulting in higher jackpots, which may be perceived by the players as an advantage and thereby draw more players to the game.

[0031] As noted above, in a preferred embodiment, the short deck of cards uses only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces from a conventional deck of cards. With these five cards of their respective suits, it is preferable to deal a five-card hand to the player. Of course, those of ordinary skill in the art may contemplate alternative variations of this concept using more or fewer different cards in each suit. In each case, however, it is preferable to deal the same number of cards in the player hand as the number of different cards in each suit in the short deck.

[0032] With the methodology according to the invention, numerous games and wagering opportunities can be provided for added excitement to a casino game of chance. Using a short deck of cards provides players with a sense that high poker rank hands can be readily achieved. Moreover, by incorporating one or more additional defining criteria, payouts can be increased for additional player satisfaction. Still further, a progressive jackpot component with the possibility of an exceedingly high payoff adds excitement.

[0033] While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of playing a game of chance comprising:

(a) configuring a short deck of cards using only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces from a conventional deck of cards;

(b) receiving a wager from a player;

(c) dealing a five-card hand to the player from the short deck of cards;

(d) enabling the player to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding number of additional cards; and

(e) resolving the wager according to the five-card hand.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (e) is practiced by taking the wager or paying a payout based on a poker ranking of the five-card hand.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein step (e) is further practiced by taking the wager when the poker ranking is less than a predetermined ranking.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined poker ranking is a Straight.

5. A method according to claim 2, wherein step (a) is practiced by configuring multiple short decks of cards from multiple conventional decks of cards, wherein each of the multiple short decks of cards has at least one distinguishing characteristic, and wherein step (e) is practiced by multiplying the payout by a first multiplier if the five-card hand comprises cards with matching distinguishing characteristics.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein each of the multiple short decks of cards has two distinguishing characteristics, and wherein step (e) is further practiced by:

multiplying the payout by the first multiplier if the five-card hand comprises cards matching a first of the two distinguishing characteristics,

multiplying the payout by a second multiplier if the five-card hand comprises cards matching a second of the two distinguishing characteristics, and

multiplying the payout by a third multiplier if the five-card hand comprises cards matching both of the two distinguishing characteristics.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the third multiplier is a combination of the first multiplier and the second multiplier.

8. A method according to claim 6, wherein the two distinguishing characteristics comprise card color and card shape.

9. A method according to claim 5, wherein the at least one distinguishing characteristic is at least one of card color and card shape.

10. A method according to claim 2, wherein the payout increases with higher poker rankings.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (b) is practiced by accruing funds for a progressive jackpot component, and wherein step (e) is practiced by paying a progressive jackpot if the five-card hand has a poker ranking higher than a predetermined jackpot ranking.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the step of accruing funds is practiced by allocating a portion of the wager.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein the step of accruing funds is practiced by receiving a separate jackpot wager from the player.

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined jackpot ranking is at least one of Royal Flush or Five of a Kind.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein step (a) is practiced by configuring multiple short decks of cards from multiple conventional decks of cards, wherein each of the multiple short decks of cards has at least one distinguishing characteristic, and wherein the predetermined jackpot ranking is Royal Flush with cards having matching distinguishing characteristics.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the predetermined jackpot ranking is at least one of Royal Flush with cards of a specific deck determined according to its distinguishing characteristic and Five of a Kind of a specific rank.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the specific rank is Ace.

18. A method of playing a poker game using at least one short deck of cards, the short deck of cards being configured from a conventional deck of cards using only N different cards in each suit, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a wager from a player;

(b) dealing a player hand from the short deck of cards, the player hand having N cards;

(c) enabling the player to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding number of additional cards; and

(d) resolving the wager according to the player hand.

19. An apparatus configured for playing a game of chance comprising a display, a player interface for receiving player input, and a processor configured to effect game play, the processor enabling:

(a) configuring a short deck of cards using only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces from a conventional deck of cards;

(b) receiving a wager from a player;

(c) dealing a five-card hand to the player from the short deck of cards;

(d) enabling the player to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding number of additional cards; and

(e) resolving the wager according to the five-card hand.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, configured for play over a global network.

21. A game of chance comprising:

means for configuring a short deck of cards using only Tens, Jacks, Queens, Kings and Aces from a conventional deck of cards;

means for receiving a wager from a player;

means for dealing a five-card hand to the player from the short deck of cards;

means for enabling the player to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding number of additional cards; and

means for resolving the wager according to the five-card hand.

22. A method of playing a game of chance comprising:

(a) configuring a short deck of cards using only N different cards in each suit from a conventional deck of cards;

(b) receiving a wager from a player;

(c) dealing a player hand from the short deck of cards, the player hand having N cards;

(d) resolving the wager according to the player hand.

23. A method according to claim 22, wherein step (d) is practiced by taking the wager or paying a payout based on a poker ranking of the player hand.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein step (a) is practiced by configuring multiple short decks of cards from multiple conventional decks of cards, wherein each of the multiple short decks of cards has at least one distinguishing characteristic, and wherein step (d) is practiced by multiplying the payout by a first multiplier if the player hand comprises cards with matching distinguishing characteristics.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein each of the multiple short decks of cards has two distinguishing characteristics, and wherein step (d) is further practiced by:

multiplying the payout by the first multiplier if the player hand comprises cards matching a first of the two distinguishing characteristics,

multiplying the payout by a second multiplier if the player hand comprises cards matching a second of the two distinguishing characteristics, and

multiplying the payout by a third multiplier if the player hand comprises cards matching both of the two distinguishing characteristics.

26. A method according to claim 25, wherein the third multiplier is a combination of the first multiplier and the second multiplier.

27. A method according to claim 25, wherein the two distinguishing characteristics comprise card color and card shape.

28. A method according to claim 24, wherein the at least one distinguishing characteristic is at least one of card color and card shape.

29. A method according to claim 22, wherein step (a) is practiced by configuring multiple short decks of cards from multiple conventional decks of cards, wherein each of the multiple short decks of cards has at least one distinguishing characteristic.

30. A method according to claim 22, further comprising, after step (c) and before step (d), enabling the player to discard at least one card and draw a corresponding number of additional cards.

31. A method according to claim 22, wherein step (c) is practiced by dealing a matrix of cards.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein step (a) is practiced by dealing an N×N matrix of cards.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein N equals five.

34. A method according to claim 33, wherein the player hand comprises multiple hands defined according to lines of the matrix, and wherein step (d) is practiced for each of the multiple hands.

35. A method according to claim 31, wherein the player hand comprises multiple hands defined according to lines of the matrix, and wherein step (d) is practiced for each of the multiple hands.