Method and system for playing a card game
Systems and methods for playing a card game are disclosed. The card game may be played with a real deck of cards and an associated playing surface, a virtual deck of cards as part of a virtual card game on a processor-based platform, representations of one or more cards in a lottery type game or the like. 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.
This application claims priority to provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/361,664, filed on Feb. 18, 2003. This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application number 10/778,500 filed on Feb. 13, 2004. The nonprovisional application designated, namely application Ser. No. 10/778,500, filed Feb. 13, 2004, claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/361,664, filed Feb. 18, 2003.
TECHNICAL FIELDCertain 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 INVENTIONCurrently, 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 INVENTIONAn embodiment of the present invention provides a method of playing a card game, whether using cards or representations of cards. 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 at least one card of the shuffled deck to reveal all features of the at least one card. The method also includes paying any winning wager according to the monetary amount bet and odds associated with the winning wager. Alternatively, the game may be played using representations of cards, which may be “shuffled” or randomized for use in playing the game. For example, the game may be played in the style of an instant lottery game, where representations of cards are printed on a ticket or other medium, and selectively revealed to play the game. In such an embodiment, the player may be able to choose the wager or a set wagering scheme may be used, to make instant winning possible.
An embodiment of the present invention also 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
In accordance with various aspects of the present invention, a card game or representational 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.
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 one or more cards before revealing the features of the one or more cards. 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 one or more cards to reveal the features of the top card(s). In the example of using 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.
Although the above example relates to playing the game using the top card of a shuffled deck (or like randomly chosen card), it is also contemplated that more than one card could be used in playing the game. For example, the game may allow for the flipping of multiple cards, wherein wagers placed by the player are applied to each of the multiple cards, thereby increasing the chances of a winning bet with at least one of the flipped cards. Alternatively, different wagers could be made to apply to each of the plurality of cards. The multiple cards could be flipped simultaneously or successively, and the number of cards used can vary. As a further alternative, multiple cards could be used to represent different types of wagers. For example, the first card flipped may be designated for paying off wagering related to suit, another for paying off relative to the card face value, another to be designated for paying off wagers for both suit and face value, or other such approaches as desired. As can be seen, the possible variations are numerous, and any such approach is contemplated by the present invention.
As an alternative embodiment, the game may be presented for playing in the form of an instant lottery ticket or the like, wherein representations of one or more cards are printed or otherwise provided on a ticket or the like. Such representations may typically be masked or covered in some way, and subsequently selectively revealed to play the game. In such an embodiment, the wager placed on the game could also be selected by the player, or the odds of winning chosen by a player, as a part of playing the game, or such variables may be set by the game distributor, as desired. In such an embodiment, the placing of a wager by the player may simply comprise buying the lottery ticket. Again, one or more card representations could be utilized in such an embodiment.
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.
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.
The odds associated with the various wagering options are shown in
As an example, a player may use a mouse (part of user interface 230) to select an amount to bet 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.
7 6A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a displayed image 600 used in the processor-based system 200 of
The odds associated with the various wagering options are shown in
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
Even though
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.
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 randomly selected representation of at least one playing card;
- placing at least one wager by betting a monetary amount relating to at least one feature of the at least one randomly selected representation of at least one playing card before any feature of said at least one card is revealed;
- selectively revealing all features of said at least one card; and
- paying any winning wager relating to said monetary amount bet.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein a plurality of cards are used and the features of each of said plurality of cards is selectively revealed.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein a deck of playing cards is used, comprising 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 at least one card are true features of said at least one card.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one card is virtual and said method is implemented as an electronic card game.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein said at least one card is represented on a ticket, and said method is implemented as a lottery 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 2 wherein the plurality of cards are revealed simultaneously.
16. The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality of cards are revealed consecutively.
17. The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality of cards are each used for a different wagers.
18. The method of claim 2 wherein the plurality of cards are each used for wagers placed by the user.
19. The method of claim 2 wherein the first card flipped may be designated for paying off wagering related to suit, a second card flipped for paying off wagering related to the card face value, and a third card flipped for paying off wagering related to both suit and face value.
20. 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 representation of at least one randomly selected card, electronically placing at least one wager by betting a monetary amount and attempting to correctly guess at least one feature of the at least one randomly selected card before any feature of said at least one card is revealed, electronically flipping said at least one card to reveal all features of said at least one card, and electronically paying any winning wager according to said monetary amount bet;
- a program memory interfacing to said at least one processor to store software associated with said virtual card game; and
- a user interface connecting to said at least one processor to allow a player of said virtual card game to display game information and select various functional inputs of said virtual card game.
Type: Application
Filed: May 14, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 18, 2005
Inventor: Reginald Groves (Hudson, OH)
Application Number: 10/846,740