Casino dice game

Abstract

A casino dice game includes the steps of requiring each player to make an ante wager, allowing each player to make a bonus wager at about the same time as making their ante wager, rolling a first set of dice and paying out those players making a bonus wager based on the outcome of the first set of dice. Play continues by allowing each player to made a bet wager, and for each of those players that make the bet wager, rolling a second set of dice, and paying out based on the outcome of the combination of the first set of dice and the second set of dice.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of gaming, and more specifically to the field of games of chance using dice involving wagering.

Games of chance, and particularly betting games, must have certain attributes to make them attractive to players. Ideally, such games should have reasonable odds in favor of the house or bank. Further, such games should be easy to learn, understand, and play. Such games should also be exciting for all of those playing, and may pit each player against the house as opposed to against each other.

Such games of chance must also have certain attributes to make them attractive to the house. Such games must have a suitable house advantage, and preferably a relatively small cycle time between rounds of betting so that more rounds of the game can be played in any given period of time. Such games must be easy to administrate, learn, and play. The equipment for such games must be easy to maintain and is preferably inexpensive to manufacture.

The most popular casino betting games have all of these attributes to varying degrees. For example, blackjack, or 21, is a game that can attract up to seven players per table, is relatively simple to administrate, utilizes an inexpensive deck of cards and a screen printed felt tabletop that is easy to maintain or replace, and provides relatively quick cycle time between rounds of betting. The house advantage for blackjack varies with the strategy used by each player, but is always slightly in favor of the house.

In roulette, the maximum payout is 35 to 1, which is over twenty times that of blackjack and therefore more exciting to many people. However, the roulette wheel itself is relatively expensive to purchase and maintain, typically about $6,000, and the average cycle time per round is relatively high. Further, roulette only builds excitement for a short time, that is, when the ball is just about to land in the roulette wheel.

Craps is a game that can generate a tremendous amount of excitement among the players and nearby observers. Such excitement is due, in part, to the fact that other players are betting on the chance outcome of a pair of dice thrown by another of the players. As such, there tends to be a higher degree of supportive vocalization from the players not throwing the dice. Sometimes loud commotion from the players often results in the craps tables being jammed to capacity. Further, the rules in craps allow for the excitement to build as the player continues to roll the dice. On the downside, craps is a somewhat difficult game to learn, to understand, and to play, and as a result is not appreciated by many gamblers. Further, the maximum payouts for craps are not nearly as high as, for example, roulette.

Several dice games are taught in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,508 to Wood on Jan. 26, 1982 teaches a die game that is administered by a dealer and allows for a number of players simultaneously. Other dice games are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,938 to Gray on Jan. 13, 1987; U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,559 to Page on Jul. 28, 1992; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,114 to Carroll on Jan. 27, 1981. While such prior art games have several of the advantages listed above, none have all of the advantages of the present invention.

There is a need for a dice game that has reasonable odds, and would be easy to learn, understand, and play. Preferably, such a game would have a relatively small cycle time between rounds so that more rounds of the game can be played in any given period of time. The game would be easy to administrate and require relatively few decisions on the part of the player. Further, the equipment for such a game must be easy to maintain and is preferably inexpensive to manufacture. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a dice game that is easily understood and enjoyable to play.

It is another advantage of the invention to provide a dice game that is easily learned by those without specialized knowledge.

It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide a dice game that has easily understood rules for wagering.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a casino dice game comprises the steps of requiring each player to make an ante wager; allowing each player to make a bonus wager at about the same time as making their ante wager; rolling a first set of dice; paying out those players making a bonus wager based on the outcome of the first set of dice; allowing each player to made a bet wager; and for each of those players that make the bet wager; rolling a second set of dice; and paying out based on the outcome of the combination of the first set of dice and the second set of dice.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing constitutes a part of this specification and includes an exemplary embodiment to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an overhead view of a casino dice gaming table in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Various aspects of the invention may be inverted, or changed in reference to specific part shape and detail, part location, or part composition. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

Turning to FIG. 1, there is shown an overhead view of a casino dice gaming table 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Casino Dice gaming table 10 has a plurality of gaming stations 13, one each for the maximum number of intended players or gamers. In the illustrated embodiment, there are six gaming stations 13, one each for six players, though the game may be played with fewer than six or may employ more stations on a table.

Each gaming station 13 for each player allows for three separate wagering positions: Ante 21, Bonus 23, and Bet 25, each of which will be described in connection with play of the casino game. To play, each player places a wager in the Ante 21 position. Players may also, but are not required to place a wager in the Bonus 23 position. After the Ante 21 wagers are placed and any desired Bonus 23 wagers are placed, the house or dealer rolls 3 dice. For those players placing a bonus 23 bet, payout of 1 to 1 is made when a pair of 4's or better is rolled, payout of 1½ to 1 is made when a straight—3 successive numbers—is rolled, and payout of 2 to 1 is made when 3 of a kind is rolled. For other outcomes, the Bonus 23 wager is kept by the house.

After payout is made for any payers that made a Bonus 23 wager, all players are given the option to then make a Bet 25 wager, which in the illustrated embodiment must be equal to the amount of the player's Ante 21 wager. For those players that decide not to make a Bet 25 wager, play ends and the Ante 21 wager is removed and kept by the house. For those players that make a Bet 25 wager, play continues. Each player in succession then rolls 2 additional dice and payout for that player is made based on the 3 dice rolled by the house and the dice rolled by the payer as follows. The Ante 21 wager is paid 1 to 1 for 2 pair, 3 of a kind, a full house, 4 of a kind, a straight, and 5 of a kind. For other outcomes, the Ante 21 wager is returned to the player. For those players that made a Bet 25 wager payout is made as follows: 1 to 1 for 2 pair and 3 of a kind; 1½ to 1 for a full house; 2 to 1 for 4 of a kind; 5 to 1 for a straight; and 10 to 1 for 5 of a kind. For other outcomes, the Bet 21 wager is returned to the player. After one player that made the Bet 25 wager rolls 2 dice, the next player that made the Bet 25 wager rolls 2 dice and that player's payout is based on the 3 dice rolled by the house and the 2 dice rolled by that player.

Gaming table 10 also includes dice holding area 31 where the dice are placed after rolled by the house or player.

It will be appreciated that many things may change and not depart for the present invention, such as the number of players, the payout odds, the number of dice used and therefore the outcomes of rolls, and when and who rolls the dice, and the number of dice rolled at a time, among others. Further, the present game may be played in connection with live casino play, video play, virtual or internet play, and play at home or for other non-wagering purposes.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A casino dice game comprises the steps of:

requiring each player to make an ante wager;

allowing each player to make a bonus wager at about the same time as making their ante wager;

rolling a first set of dice;

paying out those players making a bonus wager based on the outcome of the first set of dice;

allowing each player to made a bet wager; and for each of those players that make the bet wager;

rolling a second set of dice; and

paying out based on the outcome of the combination of the first set of dice and the second set of dice.

2. A casino dice as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first set of dice is 3 dice.

3. A casino dice as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second set of dice is 2 dice.