Method and apparatus for playing card game
A method and apparatus for playing a card game is disclosed. A player places a wager and is dealt two playing cards. The player then selects one of two or more possible ranges, based upon the first and second cards dealt, wherein a third card may fall. After the player selects a range, a third card is dealt to the player and the player wins if the third card falls in the range selected. The players win may be based upon the amount wagered and the number of playing cards in the range selected.
This invention relates to an electronic card game that increases player enjoyment and participation. Electronic card games have become extremely popular in casinos and other establishments where gambling is authorized. The popularity of these games is based upon a combination of the games' aesthetic appearance as well as the game itself, including the rules and payout table of the game. One of the most popular types of electronic card games is electronic or video poker, of which there are many different varieties, i.e. Joker Poker, Acey Deucey, Deuces Wild, Jacks or Better, and many others. The majority of video poker games are based upon a basic five card draw poker game, wherein the player is dealt an initial hand of five cards and then may elect to discard up to three cards, which are replaced with new cards to form a five card poker hand. The player is then paid any winnings in accordance with a set pay table.
Another gambling card game, that has not caught on in casinos, either electronically or otherwise, is Red Dog. In Red Dog, also called In Between and other names in other parts of the world, a player places a wager and is shown two cards face up. The player then is given the opportunity to place an additional wager on whether or not a third card will fall between the first two cards dealt. Variations on these games are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,547,246 and 6,406,024. The betting options in Red Dog are straightforward and lack much variety. Similarly, in poker games, a player has a single bet and then draws cards in order to attempt to establish a winning hand for that bet.
The present invention provides a fast moving game that provides the player with up to five betting options in a single card game. The game is easy to understand, allowing the player to play the game quickly with minimal instruction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn electronic card game is disclosed wherein a player makes a bet and is dealt two cards face up. The player is provided the option of choosing one of up to five ranges wherein the next card may fall. Those five possible ranges are: lower than the first two cards; equal to the lowest of the first two cards; higher than the lowest of the first two cards and lower than the highest of the first two cards; equal to the highest of the first two cards; or higher than both cards. The player then selects that range wherein he believes the next, third, card will fall; each range having a specific prize value associated with it. After the player selects a range, a third card is dealt and the player is paid if the third card falls in the selected range. Variations on the invention allow for bonuses to be paid if the third card falls in the middle of the selected range or is of the same rank as one or both of the first two cards.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The game of the present invention may be played on a standard type gaming platform with a place for the player to insert money, tokens or tickets, buttons and/or a touchscreen for the player to control the operation of the game, a display screen, and the additional lights, bells and signage such that the game is attractively displayed. Such gaming platforms are well known in the industry, as are the computer software and hardware on which a game such as that of the present invention may be programmed, displayed and played.
Play of the present invention is initiated by making a wager. Two cards are then dealt face up and displayed in the appropriate areas of the display. For example, in
The two drawn cards will also be shown in the range choice or range selection section of the screen (24).
The player is provided with a pay table based upon the number of cards in each range and therefore the likelihood that such card will be drawn. By way of example only, a preferred pay table is shown in
After the first two cards are dealt and the ranges are displayed, the player chooses the range in which he thinks the next card will fall, taking into consideration the possible payoffs based upon the pay table. The player may preferably select a range via either a touchscreen that allows the player to touch his chosen range on the Range Choice portion of the display (24) or via buttons on the gaming machine (21). These buttons may be the standard hold buttons for a video poker machine, modified to instead display the potential ranges: LOWER, MATCH LOWER, MIDDLE, MATCH HIGHER, and HIGHER. The button display of a preferred embodiment is shown in
After the player selects his range via either the touchscreen (24) or the buttons (41), he presses a deal or draw button (42) or otherwise signals the game to deal the third card. The third card is then dealt and evaluated and the player is paid in accordance with the pay table and whether or not he chose the correct range. For instance, if the player selects the LOWER range in our example with the four and the ten as initial cards and the third card dealt is a two, the player would be paid 6 times her initial bet. If the player had selected any other range, there would be no payout. Other payout formulas are of course available, but the preferred embodiment involves a payout that is a multiple of the initial amount bet.
The overall game play can be quite quick with each initial deal having variable prize values based upon that deal. This allows the player to select his or her own level of volatility for play. For instance, a player may consistently bet on the largest possible range, with a commensurately smaller payoff amount, if he or she desires the largest number of wins. Alternatively, a player may choose to bet on the smallest range(s) in order to maximize her payout if a win does occur. This flexibility makes the game attractive for a wide range of players and will keep game interest high during play, thereby increasing the length of time players play the game.
As a result of the first deal there may be certain instances where there are less than five ranges. For example if the initial deal is a two and an Ace, there can be no card lower than the lowest card or higher than the highest card. Therefore, there are only three ranges for this initial deal; between the two and the Ace, equal to the two or equal to the Ace. In this circumstance, the Range Display and Range Choice displays, and the player selection options are adjusted accordingly.
In addition, if the two cards dealt initially are identical, for example two sevens, there can be no “in-between” range. Further, if the initial two cards are both twos or both aces there can be no lower than or higher than range, respectively, as well. Again, Range Choice displays and player range selection options are altered in these situations to reflect only the available ranges. An initial deal of two threes and the resulting possible ranges, as displayed on the Range Choice display, are shown in
The game may also be modified so that the middle card or cards in a range have a bonus associated with them. In a preferred embodiment, the middle card(s) of any range consisting of five, seven, eight, nine, ten and eleven cards would have a bonus; as can be seen from the sample pay table in
The game described above may be modified in various ways in order to provide more game options. In one embodiment, multiple hands of the game are played from a single deck of cards. In this way, the odds may increase or decrease for specific pays as the cards are dealt; or, alternatively, the pay table may be reduced to account for the player's ability to increase his or her return by factoring into their play the previously dealt cards.
In another embodiment of the present invention the game may award the player a bonus for selecting a specific card in the selected range of cards. For example if the first two cards are a four and a Queen, a player that not only specified the range in between the two cards, but which also specified a seven, for example, would receive an additional payout for selecting the actual third card. In addition to receiving a bonus for selecting the correct third card, bonuses can be awarded for other events. For instance, if the first two cards dealt are the same suit a bonus could be awarded if the third card is of the same suit as the first two cards. The permutations are nearly endless.
As those skilled in the relevant art would know, the invention can be embodied in numerous forms of media such as, but not limited to, single player video slot machines, multi-player video slot machines, electronic games and devices, scratch-card formats, lottery terminals, software, as well as in-flight, home and Internet entertainment. The invention can readily be implemented as a computer program on a compact disc, DVD, etc. comprising a computer readable medium with recorded controlled logic to implement the features of the invention. Control logic can be loaded into the memory of a computer and executed by a central processing unit (CPU) to perform the various operations described herein.
The embodiments of the game set forth above are meant to teach certain aspects of the invention, including the best mode of implementation. Those embodiments, however, are offered by way of example only. The invention itself is not to be limited by any specific embodiment, but encompasses all embodiments, whether specifically described or not, and as disclosed in the following claims:
Claims
1. A method of playing a card game comprising:
- (a) providing a gaming device to a player;
- (b) receiving a wager from the player at said gaming device;
- (c) dealing two, face-up cards to the player from a deck of playing cards;
- (d) displaying to the player two or more possible ranges in relation to said first two cards;
- (e) allowing the player to select a range from among the two or more possible ranges; and
- (f) dealing a third card to the player and evaluating whether or not said third card is in the range selected by the player.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said gaming device includes a display of placeholders for 13 cards of each of 13 differing ranks.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said display of placeholders displays the 13 cards as sunken areas such that when the cards are dealt they appear to fit into the depressions of their respective rank.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the player is paid based upon the wager, whether the range selected by the player is the range in which the third card falls, and a pay table.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the pay table is based upon the number of cards present in each range.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein a bonus is awarded in certain instances where the third card is one or more of the middle cards of the range selected.
7. The method of claim 1 or 5 wherein multiple games are played from a single deck of cards.
8. The method of claim 1 or 5 wherein a bonus is awarded for selecting the rank of the third card.
9. The method of claim 1 or 5 wherein a bonus is awarded if the initial two cards dealt are of the same rank.
10. A method of claim 1 or 5 wherein a bonus is awarded if the third card is of the same suit as at least one of the first or second cards dealt.
11. The method of claim 1 or 5 wherein said two or more possible ranges include one or more of: lower than the lowest rank of the first two cards; the same rank as the lowest of the first two cards; a rank in between the rank of the first two cards; a rank equal to the highest rank of the first two cards; and a rank higher than the highest rank of the first two cards.
12. The method of claim 1 or 5 wherein said two or more possible ranges include one or more of: lower than the lowest rank of the first two cards; the same rank as the lowest rank of the first two cards; the same rank of either the first or second card when the first and second card are of adjacent ranks; a rank equal to the highest rank of the first two cards; and a rank higher than the highest rank of the first two cards.
13. A method of playing a card game comprising:
- (a) receiving a wager from a player;
- (b) dealing two cards to the player from a deck of playing cards;
- (c) allowing the player to select a range from among two or more possible ranges in relation to said two playing cards;
- (d) providing a pay table that is based upon the number of cards in each of the two or more ranges;
- (e) dealing a third card; and
- (f) providing the player with a win based upon the pay table and amount wagered if the third card is in the range selected by the player.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said game is played on an electronic gaming machine.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the two or more possible ranges in relation to said two playing cards are displayed to the player on the display of the electronic gaming machine.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the display also contains a portion that shows the thirteen ranks of playing cards and displays the first two dealt cards in said portion.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein said two or more possible ranges include one or more of: lower than the lowest rank of the first two cards; the same rank as the lowest rank of the first two cards; a rank in between the rank of the first two cards; a rank equal to the highest rank of the two cards; and a rank higher than the highest rank of the first two cards.
18. The method of claim 13 wherein said two or more possible ranges include one or more of: lower than the lowest rank of the first two cards; the same rank as the lowest rank of the first two cards; the same rank of either the first or second card when the first and second card are of adjacent ranks; a rank equal to the highest rank of the first two cards; and a rank higher than the highest rank of the first two cards.
19. The method of claim 13 wherein a bonus is awarded when the third card is one or more of the middle cards of the ranges selected.
20. The method of claim 13 wherein a bonus is awarded if the third card is of the same suit as at least one of the first or second cards dealt.
21. The method of claim 13 where multiple games are played from a single deck of cards.
22. A gaming apparatus comprising:
- (a) means of receiving a wager from a player;
- (b) means for dealing a first and second card to a player;
- (c) means for displaying two or more possible ranges based upon said first and second card dealt to said player;
- (d) means for player selection of one of said possible ranges based upon said first and second card;
- (e) means for dealing a third card to the player;
- (f) means for evaluating the third card in comparison to the range selected by the player; and
- (g) means for providing a payout when said third card is in the range selected by said player.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 including a pay table that is based upon the number of cards in each of said two or more possible ranges.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 or 23 wherein said two or more possible ranges include one or more of: lower than the lowest rank of the first two cards; the same rank as the lowest rank of the first two cards; a rank in between the rank of the first two cards; a rank equal to the highest rank of the first two cards; and a rank higher than the highest rank of the first two cards.
25. the method of claim 22 or 23 wherein said two or more possible ranges include one or more of: lower than the lowest rank of the first two cards; the same rank as the lowest rank of the first two cards; the same rank of either the first or second card when the first and second card are of adjacent ranks; a rank equal to the highest rank of the first two cards; and a rank higher than the highest rank of the first two cards.
26. The method of claim 22 or 23 wherein said gaming device includes a display of 13 cards of differing ranks.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein said display of 13 cards appear as sunken areas wherein the dealt cards appear to fit.
28. The method of claim 23 wherein said pay table is substantially as follows: Hand Pay (1 credit bet) Match Pair (all 3 cards same) 24 Match One (higher or lower) 16 1 card 12 Either Higher or Lower 8 2 cards 6 3 cards 4 4 cards 3 5 cards (1, 2, 4, 5) 2 (middle card - 3) 4 6 cards 2 7 cards (1-3, 5-7) 1 (middle card - 4) 6 8 cards (1-3, 6-8) 1 (middle cards - 4 or 5) 3 9 cards (1-4, 6-9) 1 (middle card - 5) 4 10 cards (1-4, 7-10) 1 (middle cards - 5 or 6) 2 11 cards(1-5, 7-11) 1 (middle card - 6) 2 12 cards 1 (note: numbers in ( ) are relative to the range not specific card values)
29. The apparatus of claim 22 or 23 wherein said gaming apparatus is an electronic gaming machine.
30. An apparatus for playing a game of cards comprising:
- (a) an electronic video poker type gaming machine;
- (b) means for receiving a wager from a player;
- (c) means for dealing a first and second card to the player;
- (d) means for displaying two or more possible ranges based upon said first and second cards;
- (e) means for allowing the player to select one of said ranges;
- (f) means for dealing a third card to the player;
- (g) means for providing an award to said player when said third card is in the range selected by the player; wherein said award is based in part on the number of cards in the range selected by the player.
31. A method of playing a three card game of cards comprising:
- (a) placing a wager;
- (b) dealing two cards to a player;
- (c) the player selecting one of two or more possible ranges wherein a third card may fall;
- (d) dealing said third card to said player and evaluating whether it falls in the range selected by the player;
- (e) providing a payout to said player when said card falls in the range selected by the player where such payout is a multiple of the amount wagered, said multiple based upon the number of cards in the range selected by the player.
32. The method of claim 31 wherein said two or more possible ranges include one or more of: lower than the lowest rank of the first two cards; the same rank as the lowest rank of the first two cards; a rank in between the rank of the first two cards; a rank equal to the highest rank of the first two cards; and a rank higher than the highest rank of the first two cards.
33. The method of claim 31 wherein said two or more possible ranges include one or more of: lower than the lowest rank of the first two cards; the same rank as the lowest rank of the first two cards; the same rank of either the first or second card when the first and second card are of adjacent ranks; a rank equal to the highest rank of the first two cards; and a rank higher than the highest rank of the first two cards.
34. The method of claim 31 wherein a bonus is awarded in certain circumstances if the third card is one or more of the middle cards of the range selected.
35. The method of claim 35 wherein the payout table is substantially as follows: Hand Pay (1 credit bet) Match Pair (all 3 cards same) 24 Match One (higher or lower) 16 1 card 12 Either Higher or Lower 8 2 cards 6 3 cards 4 4 cards 3 5 cards (1, 2, 4, 5) 2 (middle card - 3) 4 6 cards 2 7 cards (1-3, 5-7) 1 (middle card - 4) 6 8 cards (1-3, 6-8) 1 (middle cards - 4 or 5) 3 9 cards (1-4, 6-9) 1 (middle card - 5) 4 10 cards (1-4, 7-10) 1 (middle cards - 5 or 6) 2 11 cards (1-5, 7-11) 1 (middle card - 6) 2 12 cards 1 (note: numbers in ( ) are relative to the range not specific card values)
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 11, 2003
Publication Date: Mar 17, 2005
Inventors: Scott Sims (Las Vegas, NV), Bob Marnell (Henderson, NV), Linn McKay (Henderson, NV), Marc Cram (Las Vegas, NV), Jeff LaSeur (Henderson, NV)
Application Number: 10/660,466