Method and system for playing a card game

Abstract

A system and method for playing a card game are disclosed. The card game may be played with a real deck of cards and an associated playing surface or with a virtual deck of cards as part of a virtual card game on a processor-based platform. The card game combines the apparent attractiveness of casino wagering with a user-friendly method of play while still prompting the spontaneous wagering on the seemingly even or higher odds money bets.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application claims priority to provisional U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/361,664, filed on Feb. 18, 2003.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Certain embodiments of the present invention relate to a card game. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for playing a card game in conjunction with wagering.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, casinos have a variety of wagering games for people's enjoyment. These games include slot machines, craps, roulette and others. Other games include various types of card games, such as poker, blackjack or twenty-one, keno, baccarat, and the like. Such games have also been adapted to electronic or software versions, that allow play without the need for a dealer for example, and that can be played interactively on the Internet for example. Although some of these games have been around for many years, players enjoy the novelty of new wagering games. Further, particularly for the more novice player, wagering can be intimidating because some of the typical games are perceived as being overly complicated. Card games are a popular type of table game available at casinos, and players are always looking for new card games that are exciting.

From the casino owner's view, there is an interest in providing games that are easy to play, and yet provide large stakes to draw more players. There is also a desire to maximize the types of games that are available to appeal to different players, and thus an interest in developing new table or electronic games for the clientele. Such games are desirably of a character that will attract and continue to draw more players, and increase revenues to the casinos and wagering establishments.

Another popular game in the casino is roulette. The game includes elements of simplicity, apprehension, excitement, luck, bets with various odds that players can wager on and other unique aspects. The standard roulette game uses a wheel or bowl, and a This game includes a wheel or bowl having 38 stations (the numbers 1 through 36, Zero, and Double Zero), and a ball which is cast onto the spinning wheel and subsequently positions on one of the stations as the wheel slows down. Half of the 36 numbers are odd and red, and the other half are even and black. Additionally, the Zero and Double Zero are green in color. Players are afforded the option of placing a variety of wagers including (1) odd or even, (2) red or black, (3) individual numbers, (4) combinations of numbers (e.g. four numbers), and (5) various ranges of numbers such as 1-12, 13-24, and 25-36. If the ball lands upon Zero (0) or Double Zero (00), the players lose all wagers except wagers specifically placed on these two stations. These different bets have differing odds depending on the nature of the bet and statistical analysis.

The seemingly even money bets provided in the game of roulette attracts many people, but larger odds bets can also be very attractive to players. The bets available in roulette, such as bets of red or black, or odd or even, are simple and make even a novice player feel capable. At the same time, people are also generally more comfortable and familiar with, card games.

It would be advantageous to provide a card game that could be implemented as a table game, electronic and/or software game, or as otherwise desired to provide unique characteristics that create synergism between different wagering games, and provide players with a variety of bets and odds. Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional, traditional, and proposed approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems and methods with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of playing a card game. The method comprises providing at least one deck of playing cards and shuffling the deck such that the playing cards are put into a substantially unknown random order. The method further comprises placing at least one wager by betting a monetary amount and attempting to correctly guess at least one feature of a resultant top card of the shuffled deck before any feature of the top card is revealed. The method further includes flipping the top card of the shuffled deck to reveal all features of the top card. The method also includes paying any winning wager according to the monetary amount bet and odds associated with the winning wager.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a processor-based system for implementing a virtual card game. The processor-based system comprises at least one processor to execute playing of the virtual card game, and wherein the playing of the virtual card game comprises the steps of providing at least one virtual deck of playing cards, and electronically shuffling the at least one virtual deck of playing cards such that the playing cards are put into a substantially unknown random order. Thereafter, the player electronically places at least one wager relating to attempting to correctly guess at least one feature of a resultant top card of the virtual shuffled deck before any feature of the top card is revealed. After wagering, electronically flipping the top card of the virtual shuffled deck to reveal all features of the top card, and electronically paying any winning wager according to the monetary amount bet and odds associated with the winning wager. The system further comprises a program memory interfacing to the at least one processor to store software associated with the virtual card game and a user interface connecting to the at least one processor to allow a player of the virtual card game to select various functional inputs of the virtual card game. The system further comprises an image memory interfacing to the at least one processor to store image data of the virtual card game to be displayed. The system also includes a display controller interfacing to the image memory to extract image data from the image memory in a controlled manner and to convert the image data to video data. The system further includes a display interfacing to the display controller to accept the video data from the display controller such that the video data is presented to the player on the display.

These and other advantages and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the invention as implemented on an electronic game machine system.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary flowchart of an embodiment of a method of playing a card game, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a processor-based system for implementing a virtual card game using the method of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of a user interface image displayed by the processor-based system of FIG. 3, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a betting window image displayed by the processor-based system of FIG. 3, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image used in the processor-based system of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that the virtual deck of cards is being shuffled, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image used in the processor-based system of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that the virtual deck of cards is being cut, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image used in the processor-based system of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that at least one of his wagers is a winning wager, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image used in the processor-based system of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that none of his wagers are a winning wager, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of a user interface image displayed by the processor-based system of FIG. 3, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a playing surface layout depicting the positioning of multiple players, a dealer, and staff for a non-virtual version of the method of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a playing surface layout to accommodate position betting for a non-virtual version of the method of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a card game is provided that combines the apparent attractiveness of casino-type wagering with a user-friendly method of play while still prompting spontaneous wagering on various conservative or more risky odds money bets. Embodiments of the present invention relate to a card game that allows the player (or players) to place wagers for a variety of different odds bets, while being simple to understand and play. In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, representations of or actual typical playing cards are used. Additionally, the card game adds various features and wagers to enhance the attractiveness and enjoyment of the game of chance.

As used herein, the term “playing cards” shall mean actual playing cards or any other representation of playing cards, whether electronically or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “shuffling” shall mean any physical or other representation or step of mixing playing cards in a normal random fashion, whether electronically or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “wagering or placing at least one wager” shall mean any physical or other representation or step of placing monetary or psuedo-monetary bets in a normal gambling sense, whether electronically or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “flipping” shall mean any physical or other representation or step of turning over or revealing playing cards in a normal fashion, whether electronically or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “paying” shall mean any physical or other representation or step of paying on a monetary or psuedo-monetary bet in a normal gambling sense, whether electronically or otherwise.

As used herein, the term “cutting” shall mean any physical or other representation or step of reordering playing cards in a normal random fashion, whether electronically or otherwise.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein the card game is played on a stand-alone kiosk game machine 10, similar to video poker machines common in casinos and other gambling establishments. The game machine 10 provides representations of typical cards on a video monitor 12, and includes operator controls 14 for playing of the game. Typically, playing the game is initiated by inserting money or credit card information, allowing an amount to be used for betting by the player, on a game by game, debit or other suitable basis. The game may then be implemented in software, wherein FIG. 2 represents a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 100 of playing a card game, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. In step 110, at least one deck of playing cards is provided. In step 120, the deck of playing cards is shuffled such that the playing cards are put into a substantially unknown random order. In step 130, at least one wager is placed by betting a monetary amount and attempting to guess at least one feature of a resultant top card of the shuffled deck before any feature of the top card is revealed. In step 140, the top card of the shuffled deck is flipped to reveal all of the true features of the top card. In step 150, any winning wager is paid according to the monetary amount bet and the odds associated with the winning wager. An embodiment of the present invention contemplates payoff odds in direct relation to the probabilities of occurrence. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the deck of playing cards may be shuffled after a wager is placed.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the deck of playing cards comprises a conventional deck of 52 cards. The shuffling of the cards in step 120 is typically performed by a dealer of the card game and players of the card game place wagers. As an alternative embodiment, after shuffling in step 120, the deck of cards may be cut to change the resultant top card before revealing the features of the top card. The cards may be cut by a player or by the dealer, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

Typically, the dealer flips over the resultant top card to reveal the features of the top card. The features of the top card include a face value of the card (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, or A), a suit of the card (clubs, spades, diamonds, or hearts), and a color of the card (black or red). The suit usually defines the color of the card (e.g., diamonds and hearts are red and clubs and spades are black). Also, a special card known as a Joker, may be used in the deck, resulting in a deck of 53 cards.

As an example, a player may decide to place a wager by betting $100.00 that a feature of the resultant top card will be a heart. The odds associated with guessing a heart may be, for example, 4-to-one since there are four suits (clubs, spades, hearts, diamonds) and the chances of guessing any one suit correctly is 4-to-one. If the resultant top card, after shuffling and/or cutting of the deck, is a heart, then the player wins $400.00 (because of the 4-to-one odds). However, if the resultant top card is not a heart, then the player loses his $100.00 bet to the dealer (i.e., the house running the game).

As another example, a player may decide to place a wager by betting $25.00 that the features of the resultant top card will be a face value of ace and a suit of hearts (i.e., the ace of hearts). Since there are typically 52 cards in a deck, the odds may be, for example, 52-to-one. If the resultant top card is not the ace of hearts, then the player loses his $25.00 bet to the dealer (i.e., the house). However, if the resultant top card is the ace of hearts, then the player wins $25.00×52=$1300.00 from the house.

Additionally, one ordinarily skilled in the art can appreciate, and it is contemplated that the method of play described herein may be adapted to a computerized format included, but not limited to, the Internet, personal computers, and video games. It is further contemplated that the method of play described herein may be adapted to a mechanical apparatus including, but not limited to, a slot machine-type apparatus.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a processor-based system 200 for implementing a virtual card game using the method 100 of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The system 200 comprises a processor 210, a program memory 220 storing virtual card game software 225, a user interface 230, an image memory 240, a display controller 250, and a display 260.

The processor 210 interfaces to the program memory 200 and executes the virtual card game software 225. The user interface 230 connects to the processor 210 to allow a player of the virtual card game to select various functional inputs of the virtual card game. The image memory 240 interfaces to the processor 210 to store image data to be displayed. The display controller 250 interfaces to the image memory 240 to extract image data from the image memory in a controlled manner and convert the image data to video data. The display 260 interfaces to the display controller 250 to accept video data from the display controller 250 such that the video data is presented to a player on the display 260.

The virtual card game software 225 is the executable program to run the virtual card game. The user interface 230 may comprise, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch-screen (i.e., the user interface 230 is combined with the display 260), or push buttons. The functional inputs controlled through the user interface 230 include, for example, an ability to select a monetary amount per wager, and ability to select at least one card feature for wagering, and an ability to select that a virtual deck of playing cards be shuffled and/or cut such that all features of a resultant top card are revealed to a user on the display 260 after the cards are shuffled and/or cut.

FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of a user interface image 300 displayed by the processor-based system 200 of FIG. 3, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The image 300 shows the various wagering options including the four suits 310, the thirteen face values 320, and the fifty-two individual cards 330. Also, a Joker card 340 is shown.

The odds associated with the various wagering options are shown in FIG. 4 as 4-to-1 for the suits 310, 13-to-1 or the face values 320, and 52-to-1 for the individual cards 330 and the Joker 340. The image 300 also shows various functional options including bet 350, clear cards 360, deal 370 and exit 380. A cash amount 390 and a bet amount 395 are also displayed as part of the image 300.

As an example, a player may use a mouse (part of user interface 230) to select an amount to bet per wager. FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a betting window image 400 displayed by the processor-based system 200 of FIG. 3, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The player clicks on the bet option 350 and a betting window 410 pops up on the display 260 as shown in FIG. 5. The monetary denominations of $1, $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 are shown. A player can bet any amount up to, for example, $1000 by clicking the designated denominations, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For example, if a player wants to bet $677, click $100 six times, $50 once, $20 once, $5 once, and $1 twice. The amount will appear in the “bet total” box 420. The player then clicks OK and the bet amount appears in the bet option box 395. This is the bet amount per wager.

The player then selects at least one feature to bet on such as, for example, hearts 312. The bet amount, $677, is deducted from the cash amount shown in the cash amount box 390. The player then clicks on the deal box 370 to initiate shuffling and/or cutting of the cards. FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image 500 used in the processor-based system 200 of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that the virtual deck of cards is being shuffled, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image 510 used in the processor-based system 200 of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that the virtual deck of cards is being cut, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

7 6A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image 600 used in the processor-based system 200 of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that at least one of his wagers is a winning wager, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. At the end of shuffling and cutting the deck of cards, if a winning top card 610 is revealed, then a winner panel 620 is displayed to the player indicating that the player has correctly guessed at least one feature of the resultant top card 610. The cash amount in the displayed cash box 390 is then credited with the amount of winnings according to the amount bet and the odds.

FIG. 7B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image 630 used in the processor-based system 200 of FIG. 3 to indicate to a player that none of his wagers are a winning wager, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. For example, if a losing top card 640 is revealed, then a loser panel 650 is displayed to the player indicating that the player has not correctly guessed any features of the resultant top card 640.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment of a user interface image 700 displayed by the processor-based system 200 of FIG. 3, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The image 700 shows the various wagering options that can be made including the thirteen face values 710, the colors red or black 720, and the four suits 730. The color per face value 740 (e.g., ace and red) and the suit per face value 750 (e.g., ace and spade) are also shown. For example, a player may select the spade 712 under the king 711. Such a combination indicates that the player is selecting the individual card of the king of spades to wager on.

The odds associated with the various wagering options are shown in FIG. 8 as 3-to-1 for the suits 730, 12-to-1 for the face values 710, 50-to-1 for the individual cards 750, 2-to-1 for the colors red or black 720, and 25-to-1 for a color per face value combination 740. Various functional options including bet, clear cards, deal and exit (which are not shown) may also be provided as in FIG. 4. A cash amount and a bet amount (which are not shown) may also be displayed as part of the image 700.

For example, if a player desires to wager that the top card will result in a seven of hearts, the player would place a monetary bet and click on the heart symbol 751 which is aligned directly under the number seven [7] 753 on the displayed image 700. The same rationale is used in order to wager on a specific card face value including the specification of red/black suit. Here, in order to wager on, for example, a red seven, the player would click on the red portion 752 of the red/black symbol aligned directly under the number seven [7] 753.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the various wagering options presented in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8 may be implemented on a physical playing surface layout where real playing cards and chips are used to place wagers. Such an embodiment provides a dealer to shuffle, cut, and flip the top card, and at least one player to place wagers. Such an embodiment constitutes a non-virtual version of the method of FIG. 2. In such an embodiment, a player “buys in” or purchases chips of a specific color or pattern distinct from any other player currently playing.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a playing surface layout 800 depicting the positioning of multiple players 810, a dealer 820, and staff 830 for a non-virtual version of the method 100 of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Playing surface layout 800 includes a plurality of playing positions 810, sixteen seating positions in the depicted embodiment. The dealer 820 is positioned at the head of the table with assistants 830 to each side. The assistants monitor the wagers and assist in payoff following each round of play.

Even though FIG. 9 depicts a playing surface and table that accommodates up to sixteen players, another embodiment of the present invention suggests a playing surface half the size to accommodate up to eight players. It may be appreciated that numerous playing variations and combinations could be applied to the fundamental principles of the present invention. The method of the present invention may be practiced by a single player or by multiple players, wherein the player(s) play against a house dealer, against a player banker, or each other in a no bank format.

Although certain embodiments suggest payoff odds for specific wagers, it is contemplated that the odds may be modified to accommodate variables and preferences of individual casinos or houses. For instance, a specific casino may choose to structure the odds to attract players where others may choose to hold back on the odds giving the house an edge over the players.

Certain embodiments of the present invention contemplate distinct chip patterns for each player. However, another embodiment includes standard color chips corresponding to a specific monetary denomination. The rationale behind the distinct chip patterns of certain embodiments is to permit the players, dealer and staff to easily distinguish one player's wagers from the others.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a playing surface layout 900 to accommodate position betting for a non-virtual version of the method 100 of FIG. 2, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. FIG. 10 depicts an alternative method of distinguishing the players' bets on the playing surface 900. A box 910 permits “position betting” such as the method used in the commonly known game of craps. In position betting, each box 910 is separated into segments corresponding to the players' positions around the playing surface. For example, the player whose position corresponds to the upper right hand corner of a box 910 would place the desired wager in the upper right hand corner of that box 910.

It is further contemplated in another embodiment of the present invention that a player may use other forms of wagers including, but not limited to, cash and coins while playing the game of the present invention.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, one ordinarily skilled in the art would realize that the present invention could be played using more than one deck of cards. Additionally, it is understood that custom cards may be used in lieu of standard conventional playing cards. Accordingly, the odds of each wager would change to correspond to the probability of a specific wager in light of the use of multiple decks or custom cards.

In yet another embodiment, a Joker or equivalent “wild card” may be inserted into the deck as an additional card. In this embodiment, if the Joker or “wild card” is the card flipped by the dealer as the top card, all pending wagers are lost and the house wins. This feature is similar to the “0” or “00” feature in the commonly known game of roulette or the “crap out” feature in the commonly known game of Craps.

A symbol for the Joker or “wild card” may also be added in order to allow a player to wager on the Joker or “wild card” appearing as the flipped card. In this embodiment, the odds for selecting the Joker or “wild card” would be, for example, “50 to 1” which is calculated considering that there would be potentially 53 possibilities of the card appearing as the flipped card.

Similar to the casino game of roulette, a “red-black” betting option may also be added to increase the wagering alternatives. This option will allow a player to bet solely on the color of the suit of the card flipped. It is contemplated that the odds for a “red-black” wager would be 2 to 1.

Another wagering option may be added to permit the players to attempt to predict if the face value of the flipped card is “odd” or “even”. For example, the “2”, “4”, “6”, “8” and “10” of every suite will be designated as “even” and the “Ace”, “3”, “5”, “7” and “9” of every suite will be designated as “odd”. Utilizing this option, the player will place the wager on the corresponding section of the playing surface. If the player chooses correctly, it is contemplated that the player will receive a 20 to 1 odd on the wager. In the event that the flipped card is a face card, the wagers may ride or remain and the next card on the deck is flipped until a non-face card is flipped to determine the winners and losers. Additionally, it is contemplated that a face card can act as a “crap out” feature making all the current bets losers and accordingly the house a winner on all bets.

In summary, embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for playing a card game that combines the apparent attractiveness of other types of casino games and wagering with a user-friendly method of play, while still prompting the spontaneous wagering on the various odds money bets. Manual, mechanical, and computerized versions of the card game are contemplated.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of playing a card game, said method comprising:

providing at least one deck of playing cards;

shuffling said at least one deck of playing cards such that said playing cards in said deck are put into a substantially unknown random order;

placing at least one wager by betting a monetary amount and attempting to correctly guess at least one feature of a top card of said shuffled deck before any feature of said top card is revealed;

flipping said top card of said shuffled deck to reveal all features of said top card; and

paying any winning wager according to said monetary amount bet and odds associated with said winning wager.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising cutting said shuffled deck at least once to change said top card before revealing said top card.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said deck of playing cards comprises a conventional deck of 52 cards.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one feature is selected from the group consisting of a face value of a card, a suit of a card, a red color of a card, a black color of a card, and a joker.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein a plurality of wagers are available to the player, with each of the wagers have varying odds.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of wagers comprise varying odds wagers for the face value of a card, a suit of a card, a red color of a card, a black color of a card, and a joker.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the odds for a color are 2-to-1, the odds for the suits are 4-to-1, the odds for the face values are 13-to-1, the odds for the suit and face value of individual cards and for the Joker is 52-to-1.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said winning wager includes any wager whose guessed features of said top card are true features of said top card.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said deck of playing cards is virtual and said method is implemented as an electronic card game.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said deck of playing cards is virtual and said method is implemented as a computer-based card game.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said card game is played virtually on a processor-based apparatus, and wherein said processor-based apparatus comprises a personal computer which is programmed, via software, to implement at least said method.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said card game is played virtually on a processor-based apparatus, and wherein said processor-based apparatus comprises a hand-held electronic device which is programmed, via software, to implement at least said method.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said card game is played virtually on a processor-based apparatus, and wherein said processor-based apparatus comprises a standalone video-poker type of electronic system which is programmed, via software, to implement at least said method.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein said card game is played virtually by accessing a software implementation of said card game from a server, via the Internet, using a personal computer.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising debiting a cash account for each placed wager.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising crediting a cash account for each winning wager.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising notifying a player of said card game when said player wins a wager.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising notifying a player of said card game when said player loses a wager.

19. A processor-based system for implementing a virtual card game, said processor-based system comprising:

at least one processor to execute playing of said virtual card game, and wherein said playing of said virtual card game comprises the steps of providing at least one virtual deck of playing cards, electronically shuffling said at least one virtual deck of playing cards such that said playing cards in said deck are put into a substantially unknown random order, electronically placing at least one wager by betting a monetary amount and attempting to correctly guess at least one feature of a resultant top card of said virtual shuffled deck before any feature of said top card is revealed, electronically flipping said top card of said shuffled deck to reveal all features of said top card, and electronically paying any winning wager according to said monetary amount bet and odds associated with said winning wager;

a program memory interfacing to said at least one processor to store software associated with said virtual card game;

a user interface connecting to said at least one processor to allow a player of said virtual card game to select various functional inputs of said virtual card game;

an image memory interfacing to said at least one processor to store image data of said virtual card game to be displayed;

a display controller interfacing to said image memory to extract image data from said image memory in a controlled manner and to convert said image data to video data; and

a display interfacing to said display controller to accept said video data from said display controller such that said video data is presented to said player on said display.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein said user interface comprises at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch-screen, and push-buttons.

21. The system of claim 19 wherein said various functional inputs include:

an ability to select a monetary amount per wager;

an ability to select at least one card feature for wagering; and

an ability to select that a virtual deck of playing cards be shuffled and/or cut such that all features of a resultant top card are revealed to a user on said display after said shuffling and/or cutting.

22. The system of claim 19 wherein an amount of a cash account and an amount per wager are displayed on said display.

23. The system of claim 19 wherein a notification of a winning wager is displayed to a player of said virtual card game on said display when said player wins a wager.

24. The system of claim 19 wherein a notification of a losing wager is displayed to a player of said virtual card game on said display when said player loses a wager.