Modified playing cards and method of use
A deck of modified playing cards enhances traditional wagering card games. In a first example, traditional card ranks are replaced with letters. For example, each Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace of one or more suits in a deck of playing cards is replaced with the letters “V”, “E”, “G”, “A”, and “S”, respectively. In another example, all Jacks are replaced with the numeral “11” to facilitate a 7/11 bonus game. In another example, all Kings are replaced with the number “13” and all Sevens are replaced with the letter “L” and word “Lucky.” In yet another example, pre-established cards are replaced with logos such that the logo card in a final card hand acts as bonus card or may act as a wild card. In such an arrangement, casino logos can be used to promote the casino and its amenities. In one version, awards include comps to businesses represented by the logo.
The present invention relates to playing cards. More particularly, modified playing cards for use in live games and games facilitated by electronic gaming devices.
BACKGROUNDTraditional playing cards have been in existence for centuries. A traditional deck of playing cards includes four suits, namely clubs, diamonds, spades and hearts. Each suit comprises an Ace, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Jack, Queen and King for a total deck of 52 cards.
Traditional cards have facilitated many games of chance including Poker, Blackjack, Cribbage, Pinochle, etc. In each instance, the rank and suit of the card is depicted on its face. While it is understood that new games of chance utilizing traditional cards may be developed, the ability to create corresponding new and unique game enhancements is quite limited. That is, traditional cards no longer provide a great deal of versatility.
The ability to provide versatility is more important given the proliferation of electronic gaming devices, namely video poker machines. Indeed, video poker machines are now more popular than live games of chance. Correspondingly, there is a need for modified playing cards which benefit both live games of chance and wagering games facilitated by electronic gaming devices.
SUMMARYAccordingly, a first embodiment of the present invention comprises a modified deck of cards wherein card ranks are replaced with letters. For example, each Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in a deck of playing cards is replaced with the letters “V”, “E”, “G”, “A”, and “S”, respectively. Each of the letter cards also include suits.
In another embodiment, all Jacks are replaced with the numeral “11” to facilitate a 7/11 bonus. Similarly, an enhanced royal flush comprises a 7, 11, Queen, King and Ace. The traditional royal flush (i.e., 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace) may be paid at a reduced rate.
In another embodiment, all Kings are replaced with the number “13” and all Sevens are replaced with the letter “L” and word “Lucky.” Other embodiments comprise replacing all cards with letters and/or numbers to facilitate unique objectives.
In yet another embodiment, pre-established cards are replaced with logos such that the logo card in a final card hand acts as bonus card or may act as a wild card. In one such embodiment, casino logos are used to promote the casino offering the games of chance. As described in more detail below, the logos may be used to award player comps as well.
The use of the modified cards disclosed herein provides a means for enhancing traditional card games and personalizing games for individual casinos and related gaming venues.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While both live games (e.g., Blackjack) and wagering games facilitated by electronic gaming devices (e.g., video poker) may utilize the modified cards of the present invention, for the sake of brevity, gaming devices, more particularly gaming devices facilitating video poker, are relied upon throughout the detailed description. Traditional video poker comprises a player receiving five cards on a display of a video poker machine. The player then elects, via a player interface, which cards to hold and fold. Folded cards are replaced with remaining cards in the deck. Players are then paid based on the strength of the player's final poker hand.
Video poker machines are controlled by processors in communication with a random number generator, memory device, display and player interfaces. The operation of video poker machines is well known to those skilled in the art and need not be overly described herein.
Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout.
The royal flush is the highest achievable hand in standard video poker. There are four possible royal flushes in a standard deck of playing cards. That is, each suit comprises one royal flush. In the VEGAS arrangement of
Now referring to
In another embodiment, shown in
Yet another embodiment, utilizing logo cards, is shown in
The benefits of the logo cards include enhancing old games of chance and provide a mechanism for advertising. In one approach, the casino offering the game of chance places its logo on the cards simulated on each and every video poker machine on the casino floor. The casino may also place on the cards logos which represent restaurants, shops and related businesses within the casino. Then, bonus awards can include free dinners and/or merchandise (i.e., comps) from the business represented by the logo. A myriad of different promotional concepts are possible with the logo cards. For example, having one or more logo cards may provide the player with a steak dinner or free movie tickets.
Now referring to
The operation of electronic gaming devices, including slot machines and video poker machines, is well known in the industry so that the minute details are not set forth herein. In general terms, slot machines and video poker machines are controlled by processors including, or in communication with, a random number generator. The random number generator generates the machines' outcomes. A display in communication with the processor provides visual information to players.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.
Claims
1. A deck of playing cards comprising:
- a plurality of cards grouped into four suits, said suits comprising diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades, wherein each of the plurality of cards depicts a suit in two diagonally opposite corners of a card face;
- the plurality of cards comprising a front face and a back;
- said plurality of cards including one or more first cards depicting on the front face traditional card ranks, each first card further depicting a number of pips matching the card rank or a picture denoting a face card;
- said plurality of cards further including one or more second cards depicting on the front face a letter or logo near a card center in place of the card rank, pips and picture, said second cards depicting only the letter or logo in combination with a suit; and
- wherein the first cards in combination with the second cards form the complete deck of playing cards.
2. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the first cards include traditional card ranks two through nine and the second cards include letters V, E, G, A and S in place of the traditional ace, king, queen, jack and ten, respectively.
3-4. (canceled)
5. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the first cards include traditional ranks ace through nine and jack through king and the second cards include a logo in place of the traditional ten.
6. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the first cards include traditional ranks ace and three through king and the second cards include a logo in place of the traditional two.
7. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the logo is selected from the group consisting of a casino, restaurant, spa, show, club and shop.
8. The deck of playing cards of claim 1 wherein the cards are simulated on an electronic gaming device.
9. The deck of playing cards of claim 8 wherein the electronic gaming device facilitates the play of video poker or blackjack.
10. A method of playing card games comprising:
- accepting a player wager;
- providing a plurality of cards grouped into four suits, said suits including diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades, said plurality of cards comprising a first set of cards having traditional card ranks, each first card in the first set further comprising a number of pips matching the card rank or a graphic denoting a face card and a second set of cards incorporating a numeral, letter, logo or symbol in place of the card rank, pips and picture, said second cards identified by suit;
- selecting a pre-established number of random cards from the plurality of cards formed by a combination of the first set and the second set of cards; and
- awarding a player a payout based on the player wager, said award being related to the selected random cards.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the first set of cards includes traditional card ranks two through nine and the second set of cards includes letters V, E, G, A and S in place of the traditional ace, king, queen, jack and ten, respectively.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the player receives an award in response to holding one or more of the cards from the second set cards in a final player hand.
13. The method of claim 1 1 wherein a player receives an award for holding each of the five letters of the same suit in a final hand.
14. The method of claim 10 wherein the first set of cards includes traditional card ranks ace through six, eight through ten, queen and king and the second set of cards includes numerals 7 and 11 in place of the traditional seven and jack.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the player receives an award for holding a one or more of the cards from the second set of cards in a final hand.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein the player receives an award for holding a full house comprising only cards from the second set of cards.
17. The method of claim 14 wherein the player receives an award for holding a 7, 11, queen, king and ace of the same suit in a final hand.
18. The method of claim 10 wherein the first set of cards includes traditional card ranks ace through six and eight through queen and the second set of cards includes the word lucky in place of the traditional seven and a numeral 13 in place of the traditional king.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the player receives an award for holding one or more of the cards from the second et of cards in a final hand.
20. The method of claim 18 wherein the player receives an award for holding four 13s and the word lucky in a final hand.
21. The method of claim 10 wherein the first set of cards includes traditional ranks ace through nine and jack through king and the second set of cards includes a logo in place of the traditional ten.
22. The method of claim 21 wherein the player receives an award for holding one or more of the cards from the second set of cards in a final hand.
23. The method of claim 21 wherein the logo is selected from the group consisting of a casino, restaurant, spa, show, club and shop.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein the payout is a comp related to the casino, restaurant, spa, show, club or shop.
25. The method of claim 21 wherein the card from the second set of cards are deemed wild cards.
26. The method of claim 10 facilitated by an electronic gaming device.
27. A method of playing card games comprising:
- accepting a player wager;
- providing a plurality of cards grouped into four suits, said suits including diamonds, hearts, clubs and spades, said plurality of cards comprising a first set of cards having traditional card ranks, each card in the first set further comprising a number of pips matching the card rank or a graphic denoting a face card and a second set of cards incorporating a logo;
- selecting a pre-established number of random cards from the plurality of cards formed by a combination of the first set and the second set of cards; and
- providing the player an award based on an amount of the player wager and the arrangement of the selected random cards, said award being complimentaries to one or more businesses represented by the logo.
28. The method of claim 27 wherein the complimentaries include discounts on business merchandise.
29. The method of claim 27 wherein the logo is selected from the group consisting of a casino, restaurant, spa, show, club and shop.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 5, 2004
Publication Date: Oct 6, 2005
Inventors: Peter Malone (Las Vegas, NV), Jerome Roed (Las Vegas, NV)
Application Number: 10/818,982