Method Of Playing A Card Game

Abstract

A method for playing a card game among players includes determining a first rule, second rule, and third rule for playing the game. A starting hand is dealt to each player who sorts their cards into a first card group, second card group, and third card group. The cards are analyzed in each of the first and third card groups based on the respective first and third rules to determine a ranking for each of the first and third card groups. The ranks are compared between each of the players to determine a highest rank, which is the winner for each of the first and third card groups. An integer value is determined for each of the cards to define the second rule. The integer values of the cards in each of the second card groups are totaled to determine a hand score for each player. The highest hand score wins the second card group.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/741,248 filed on Dec. 1, 2005, which is herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention generally relates to a card game. More specifically, the present invention relates to a card game played by sorting cards into a plurality of smaller groups of cards.

2. Description of the Related Art

The general principle of comparing hands based on a poker ranking is not new. There is a game called “Pai Gow Poker” or “Chinese Poker.” Chinese poker is a blend of the Chinese game of Pai Gow and the American game of poker. Pai Gow is played as a casino game either against a dealer or where the players pay a fee to the casino to compete against one another. In Pai Gow, tiles having a point value are compared. In poker, card groups are ranked and compared. A common form of Chinese poker has each player dealt a thirteen-card hand from a standard fifty-two card deck of cards. Each player divides their thirteen cards into two groups of five cards each and one group of three cards. Each hand is arranged with the three-card group in front and one of the five-card hands in the middle, and the other five-card hand in the back. The back hand must be more valuable than the middle hand. Each group is ranked and compared against all of the other corresponding groups based on poker rankings. Winning a group match-up is worth one point, with a bonus point for a sweep of all three hands winning. Therefore, each of the three groups is worth one point with a bonus point, i.e., fourth point, being awarded to a player if they also won the other three points on that hand. The game is sometimes played with an option to surrender. Surrendering allows the player to concede and get a possible reduction in the amount owed, while giving up the change to win the hand. Chinese Poker can be played socially and is sometimes available in California card rooms as a time-charge game where players compete against each other. Chinese Poker has achieved some popularity in the poker world, and has been used as a “World Series of Poker” event, even though it is not considered to be true poker.

Poker hand rankings for card games that use comparisons between groups, or hands of cards, are based on the principle that the rarer a hand, i.e., lower the probability, the higher the hand's ranking. In practice there are a few minor exceptions made for one reason or another. At Chinese Poker, the rankings for each five-card hand are the same as for a regular game of poker, which uses the best five cards. The rankings for the three-card hand uses only three-of-a-kind, pair, and high card (flushes and straights are not used). There are some three-card games that use straights and flushes in their rankings, along with the other hand classes mentioned. For example, a game played in India and Nepal called “Flush” incorporates these rankings. There are games patented under the name “Four-card Poker” and “Three-card Poker,” which are gambling games that use the element of comparing four-card poker hands and three-card poker hands against a casino dealer's hand in a specified manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES

The present invention is a method for playing a card game with a plurality of players using a deck of cards. The method includes the steps of determining a first rule for playing the game and determining an integer value associated with each card in the deck of cards to define a second rule for playing the game. A plurality of cards are dealt to each player to define a starting hand for each player. Each starting hand is sorted into a first card group and a second card group for each player. The cards are analyzed in each of the first card groups, based on the first rule, to determine a first rank for each player. The first ranks are compared between each of the players to determine at least one highest first rank and to define at least one winner for the first card group. The integer values of the cards are totaled in each of the second card groups, based on the second rule, to determine a hand score for each player. The hand scores are compared between each of the players to determine at least one highest hand score and to define at least one winner for the second card group.

Accordingly, the players are provided with a unique and exciting gaming experience that is not achieved with other card games. By assigning integer values to the cards where the totaled integer values of the cards in the second card group are ranked against the other players, a new and exciting game is achieved. This game employs a unique strategy not otherwise employed for card games where players sort their starting hand into multiple groups of cards. Additionally, by allowing players to place any card in any hand, instead of stipulating that one hand must be stronger than another, the players are provided with the ability to employ additional unique strategies of playing the game. These allow the players to focus on achieving the highest possible hands, when ranked against other players. Additionally, more flexibility in play of the game is achieved for the players by allowing the players to place the groups of cards onto the table in any desired order.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a card game for play by four players showing each player having twelve cards sorted into a first card group, a second card group, and a third card group of cards and a discarded card in a discard pile;

FIG. 2 illustrates the card game for play by four players showing each player having nine cards sorted into the three groups of cards and the discarded card in the discard pile;

FIG. 3 illustrates twelve cards sorted into the three groups of cards; and

FIG. 4 illustrates nine cards sorted into the three groups of cards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a game that is played by a plurality of players. Typically, the card game is played with a standard single deck of 52 cards 10. However, it should be appreciated that the card game is not limited to a standard single deck of 52 cards as the deck of cards may be modified in some desired manner. For example, a plurality of jokers, or other wild cards, may be used in addition to the cards in the deck of 52 cards. Each joker, or wild cards, may be chosen to selectively represent any desired card in the deck of cards. Additionally, multiple decks of cards may also be used.

The card game is played with two or more players or between one or more players and a computer. Each player is dealt a plurality of cards 10, which establish a starting hand 12 for each player. Therefore, the total number of cards 10 dealt to the players of the game may vary. For example, if the players are more advanced, thirteen cards 10 are dealt to each player. As another example, if the players are less skilled, only ten cards 10 are dealt to each player. However, any number of cards 10 may be dealt to the players so long as there are a sufficient number of cards 10 available to be dealt to each player. It is considered a deal each time a starting hand 12 is dealt. Typically, a plurality of deals are played before play ends. A plurality of deals equals a game. Points are awarded to the players at the end of each deal. The object of the game is to be the player who accumulates the most points.

A. Sorting

Following the deal, each player preferably sorts their cards 10 into a plurality of smaller hands, or groups, of cards 10. Preferably, the cards 10 are sorted into three smaller card groups 14, 16, 18, i.e., a first card group 14, a second card group, and a third card group. The number of required cards 10 in the card groups 14, 16, 18 can be set to be any desired number. Therefore, the first card group 14 totals m cards 10, the second card group 16 totals n cards 10, and the third card group 18 totals p cards 10. The player may place any of the cards 10 into any of the card groups 14, 16, 18 as desired.

Typically, each player discards one of their cards 10 into a discard pile 20 to signal the end of the sorting. Each player may continue to sort their cards 10 into the card groups 14, 16, 18 until the discard is completed. Therefore, when the players are required to discard one of their cards 10 when playing the game, the number of cards 10 dealt to each player is equal to the total of the m cards 10, the n cards 10, the p cards 10, and the discarded card. If the players are not required to discard when playing the game, only the total of the m cards 10, the n cards 10, and the p cards 10 equal the number of cards 10 dealt to each player. It should be appreciated that the discard is not limited to being one card, but may be any desired number of cards 10.

When sorting is complete, the sorted card groups 14, 16, 18 are placed in front of each player, either face up or face down. Each of the card groups 14, 16, 18 of cards 10 are preferably sorted into sequentially smaller card groups 14, 16, 18 of cards 10. Therefore, the total number of n cards 10 for the second card group 16 would be equal to m-1 cards 10 and the number of p cards 10 for the third card group 18 would be equal to m-2 cards 10. However, the cards 10 in the second and third card groups 18 are not limited to being a sequentially smaller number of cards 10 than the first card group 14 and can be any desired number of cards 10. As an example, in a game where thirteen cards 10 are dealt to each player, and a discard is used to signal the end of sorting, m equals five cards 10, n equals four cards 10, and p equals three cards 10. Alternatively, in a game where ten cards 10 are dealt to each player, and a discard is used to signal the end of sorting, m equals four cards 10, n equals three cards 10, and p equals two cards 10.

B. Comparing Groups

The game proceeds where the players compare corresponding card groups 14, 16, 18 of cards 10. This means that the first card groups 14 are compared against all of the first card groups 14, the second card groups 16 against all of the second card groups 16, and the third card groups 18 against all of the third card groups 18. However, before any of the card groups 14, 16, 18 of cards 10 are compared, and depending on the number of card groups 14, 16, 18 the cards 10 will be sorted into, rules for playing the game are preferably determined. This means that when the cards 10 are sorted into three card groups 14, 16, 18, a first rule, a second rule, and a third rule for playing the game are preferably determined. These rules determine the strategy that the players use when sorting their cards 10 into the smaller card groups 14, 16, 18. The first rule and the third rule are applied to a respective one of the first and the third card groups 18 of cards 10. Preferably, all of the first card groups 14 and all of the third card groups 18 are respectively compared as poker hands. However, it should be appreciated that the first and/or the third card groups 18 are not limited to being compared under the first and third rules as poker hands and may be compared under any other preferred rule of comparing the card groups 14, 16, 18. When the first and/or third card groups 18 are compared as poker hands, a probability of predetermined combinations, for a predetermined number of cards 10, are determined to define each of the first and third rules for playing the game. This includes determining the possible outcomes for each of the first and third card groups 18. It should be appreciated that this probability of the predetermined combinations may vary based on the total number of cards 10 to be used in a particular group. Accordingly, the predetermined combinations of the cards 10 of the first card group 14 and/or the third card group 18 are ranked according to the probability in order from least probable to most probable as a poker hand, based on the number of cards 10 to be used in each of the card groups 14, 16, 18. Examples of poker rankings which may be used are shown below.

FIVE-CARD Group is Ranked from Highest to Lowest Probability:

Name:	Definition of Group:	Sample Card Group:
Straight Flush	Five cards of same suit in	(K-Q-J-10-9)
	sequence
Quads	Four cards of the same rank	(J♦-J-J-J♥-6)
Full House	Three of one rank, pair of	(J♦-J-J-2♥-2)
	other rank
Flush	Five cards of the same suit	(K-7-6-4-2)
Straight	Five cards in ordered rank	(9-8-7♥-6-5♦)
Trips	Three cards of same rank	(J♦-J-J-9-2♥)
Two pair	Pairs of two different ranks	(J♦-J-9-9♥-2)
Pair	Two cards of the same rank	(J♦-J-9-5♥-2)
High Card	Highest card rank	(A♦-7-6-4-3♥)

FOUR-CARD Group is Ranked from Highest to Lowest Probability:

Name:	Definition of Group:	Sample Card Group:
Quads	Four cards of the same rank	(J♦-J-J-J♥)
Run	Four cards of same suit in	(9-8-7-6)
	sequence
Trips	Three cards of the same rank	(J♦-J-J-2♥)
Two pair	Pairs of two different ranks	(J♦-J-9-9♥)
Flush	Four cards of the same suit	(K-7-4-2)
Straight	Four cards in ordered rank	(9-8-7♥-6)
Pair	Two cards of the same rank	(J♦-J-9-5♥)
High Card	Highest card rank	(A-7-6-4)

THREE-CARD Group is Ranked from Highest to Lowest Probability:

Name:	Definition of Group:	Sample Card Group:
Straight Flush	Three cards of same suit in	(K-Q-J)
	sequence
Trips	Three cards of the same rank	(9-9♥-9)
Straight	Three cards in ordered rank	(9-8♥-7)
Flush	Three cards of the same suit	(9-6-2)
Pair	Two cards of the same rank	(A-A-3♥)
High Card	Highest card rank	(A-6-3♥)

TWO-CARD Group is Ranked from Highest to Lowest Probability:

Name:	Definition of Group:	Sample Card Group:
Run in Suit	Two cards of same suit in	(8-7)
	sequence
Pair	Two cards of the same rank	(K-K♥)
Run	Two cards in ordered rank	(9-8)
Suit	Two cards of the same suit	(9-5)
High card	Highest card rank	(A♥-6)

Each of the first card groups 14 are analyzed according to the first rule to determine a first rank for each player for their respective first card group. Each of the third card groups 18 are analyzed according to the third rule to determine a second rank for each player for their respective third card group. This means that the first rule is applied to the first card group 14 of cards 10 for each player and the third rule is applied to the third card group 18 of cards 10 for each player. The least probable combination of the cards 10 for each of the first and third card groups 18 will each correspond to the highest ranked respective first or third card group, i.e., the winner of the group. If there is a tie between the least probable combinations within either the first or third card group, then there is a tie between those players for that group, i.e., more than one winner. Scoring for the card groups 14, 16, 18 is described in more detail below.

The second rule is applied to the second card group 16 of cards 10. An integer value is associated with each card in the deck of cards 10. The integer values for the cards 10 are typically at face value, e.g. 1, 2, 3, etc. However, this presents a problem with those cards 10 that do not have a numerical value on their face, i.e., jacks, queens, kings, and aces. These cards 10 may be assigned any desired value, i.e., jacks are w, queens are x, kings are y, and aces are z. It is preferable that the values of three or more of the jacks, queens, kings, and aces have values which are of different values. Preferably, the point system for bridge is used for determining the integer values where jacks are 1, queens are 2, kings are 3, and aces are 4. However, it should be appreciated that alternative integer values for the cards 10 may also be assigned to be some other value(s). The integer value of the cards 10 in each of the second card groups 16 are analyzed, based on the second rule, to determine a hand score for each player. This means that each player adds the integer values for all of the cards 10 in their respective second card group 16 to obtain a total hand score for their respective second card group. The players compare their hand scores and the highest hand score, i.e., the highest total integer value, wins the second card group. If more than one player has the highest hand score, there is a tie between those players.

C. Scoring

Upon comparing the respective card groups 14, 16, 18 of cards 10, the points are awarded to players who win each of the respective card groups 14, 16, 18. First points are assigned to the first card group 14, second points for the second card group 16, and third points for the third card group 18. The points for any of the first, second, and third card groups 14, 16, 18 are typically awarded equally to the winner(s) of the respective group. This means that when two or more players tie when comparing a particular group of cards 10, the points are awarded equally among players who tied. For example, if the third card group 18 is worth 3 points and two players tie, each player receives 1.5 points. Similarly, if three players tie, each player receives 1 point. Preferably, the number the points for each group 14, 16, 18 correspond to the total number of cards 10 in the respective group 14, 16, 18. For example, if the first card group 14 contains five cards 10, the second card group 16 four cards 10, and the third card group 18 three cards 10, the first card group 14 is worth 5 points, the second card group 16 is worth 4 points, and the third card group 18 is worth 3 points. Alternatively, if the first card group 14 contains four cards 10, the second card group 16 three cards 10, and the third card group 18 two cards 10, the first card group 14 is worth 4 points, the second card group 16 is worth 3 points, and the third card group 18 is worth 2 points. However, the number of points are not limited to this embodiment described and may be any other desired number of points.

D. Voting for Scoring

To make the game more challenging to the players, more than one rate of awarding points may be available for the card groups 14, 16, 18. This means that there is a first rate, or a “regular scoring rate” and a second rate, or a “higher scoring rate”. Therefore, the second rate awards a higher number of points than the first rate. In this embodiment, the players indicate, or vote for, a score preference as one of the first rate and the second rate. This scoring preference becomes the voted rate for all of the groups. Alternatively, the players may indicate a voted rate for each group separately. This means that the scoring rate for each of the first, second, and third card groups 14, 16, 18 would be voted and the voted scoring rate(s) would be applied to each of the card groups 14, 16, 18 separately. In either case, majority rules where the rate receiving the most player votes becomes the voted rate. A tie between the voted rates means that the second rate, i.e., higher scoring rate, becomes the voted rate for awarding points. In another embodiment, the lower scoring rate becomes the voted.

In one type of voting, after the hands 12 are sorted, each player indicates whether they want the points for that deal to be scored at the regular scoring rate or the higher scoring rate. In one embodiment, the players use scoring point cards 22. Typically, the scoring point cards are designed for this process, and are labeled “regular,” for a regular scoring point card 24, and “double,” for a higher scoring point card 26. However, the scoring point cards 22 may be labeled any way preferred. Additionally, the scoring point cards 22 may be any other item for indicating a scoring rate. The regular scoring point 24 card uses the standard scoring point awards for winning each hand 12. For example, if the players have three card groups 14, 16, 18 with the first card group 14 having five cards 10, the second card group 16 having four cards 10, and the third card group 18 having three cards 10, the first card group 14 is worth 5 points, the second card group 16 is worth 4 points, and the third card group 18 is worth 3 points at the regular scoring rate. If the players use the higher scoring point cards 26 to vote for the scoring preference to be the higher scoring rate, the first card group 14 is worth 10 points, the second card group 16 is worth 8 points, and the third card group 18 is worth 6 points. Similarly, if the first card group 14 has four cards 10, the second card group 16 has three cards 10, and the third card group 18 has two cards 10, the first card group 14 is worth 4 points, the second card group 16 is worth 3 points, and the third card group 18 is worth 2 points at the regular scoring rate. At the higher scoring rate, the first card group 14 is worth 8 points, the second card group 16 is worth 3 points, and the third card group 18 is worth 4 points. Essentially, the number of points to be awarded to each group at the regular scoring rate is doubled if the higher scoring rate becomes the scoring preference. It should also be appreciated that the second rate is not limited to being double the first rate, but may be defined to be any other preferred rate.

Each player indicates their preferred scoring rate preference by placing their scoring point card 22 of choice facedown on the table. Naturally, a player with a bad hand 12 would prefer to score at the regular scoring rate, and a player with a good hand 12 would prefer to score at the higher scoring rate. When all players are ready to reveal their choice, the scoring point cards 22 are all turned face up at the same time. It is also possible to vote for scoring without the use of special cards 22. In this embodiment, the players vote in rotation by saying their choice. The dealer preferably votes first with voting proceeding one player at a time in a clockwise rotation. This means that players who have not yet voted can use the information gained by how others have voted before making up their own mind. If all the players select the same option, the players use the selected scoring rate, i.e., regular or higher. For example, if all of the players turn up the “double” card, a comparison at the higher scoring rate takes place for each of the card groups 14, 16, 18. If the players do not agree on the scoring rate, and only two players are playing the game, i.e., a two-handed game, then the higher scoring rate is used. Alternatively, the player who voted for the regular scoring rate is given the option of surrendering by folding their cards 10. When this happens, the player who folds concedes a sweep at the regular scoring rate. It should be appreciated that the dealer is not required to be the first player to vote as any other player may be designated to be the first to vote. This means that the card groups 14, 16, 18 of cards 10 are not compared and the player who did not surrender receives all of points at the regular scoring rate. This saves the one player from allowing one or more of the opposing players from being awarded a greater point value than the first rate, i.e., the second rate, when their hand 12 is weak.

Alternatively, if all of the players do not agree on the scoring rate and there are more than two players playing the game, i.e., a three-handed game, a four-handed game, etc., then special voting rules are enacted, e.g. “Compare Voting Rules.” The special voting rules determine which rate of scoring points will apply. When a majority of the players vote for a particular scoring rate, the majority rules, and the scoring rate receiving the majority of the votes is used. Therefore, the players who indicated the first rate are totaled and the players who indicated the second rate are totaled. The rate which received the most number of votes becomes the voted rate for the group(s) 14, 16, 18 of cards 10. This means that at least half of the players have to indicate a particular rate in order for it to become the voted rate for that game. The voted rate may be applied across all three card groups 14, 16, 18 based on a single vote.

In yet another embodiment, in the four-handed game, if two players vote for the regular scoring rate and two players vote for the higher scoring rate, there is not a majority. The players who voted for the regular scoring rate compare their card groups 14, 16, 18 of cards 10 and the players who voted for the higher scoring rate compare their card groups 14, 16, 18 of cards 10. This means that the two players who selected the higher scoring rate only compare their card groups 14, 16, 18 of cards 10 with each other, scoring at the higher rate, and the two players who selected the regular scoring rate only compare their card groups 14, 16, 18 of cards 10 with each other, also scoring at the higher rate. Alternatively, the two players who selected the higher scoring rate only compare their card groups 14, 16, 18 of cards 10 with each other, scoring at the regular rate, and the two players who selected the regular scoring rate only compare their card groups 14, 16, 18 of cards 10 with each other, also scoring at the regular rate. In another embodiment, if desired, the group who selected the regular scoring rate is only awarded points at the regular scoring rate while the group who selected the higher scoring rate is awarded points at the higher scoring rate.

E. Ending the Game

Once all of the points are awarded, the deal ends and the cards 10 are dealt again. The awarded points are cumulative. This means that they are added onto the player's previously awarded points. Play may end in a number of ways. Preferably, play ends when a player reaches a predetermined number of cumulative points. For example, if there are only two players and the players have twelve total cards 10 in their hands 12, the first person to reach 50 points wins the game. If there are three players, the first person to reach 40 points wins the game. If there are four players, the first person to reach 30 points wins the game. If, however, more than one player gets a winning number of cumulative points, the most points above that winning number of cumulative points is the winner. For example, if the requirement is 50 points to win the game and a first player reaches 52 points and a second player reaches 58 points, the second player would be the winner, even though both players reached the requirement of 50 points. If the voting is used in the scoring, the required number of cumulative points should be increased in determining the winner. For example, the recommended game winning cumulative points should be raised to 70 points for two players, 60 points for three players, and 50 points for four players. However, it should be appreciated that the required number of cumulative points may be set to any desired number of points. As another alternative, play may end after a predetermined number of deals or after a set time period of game play.

The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, and the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

1. A method for playing a card game with a plurality of players using a deck of cards, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a first rule for playing the game;

determining an integer value associated with each card in the deck of cards to define a second rule for playing the game;

dealing a plurality of cards to each player to define a starting hand for each player;

sorting each starting hand into a first card group and a second card group for each player;

analyzing the cards in each of the first card groups based on the first rule to determine a first rank for each player;

comparing the first ranks between each of the players to determine at least one highest first rank and to define at least one winner for the first card group based on that player having the highest first rank;

totaling the integer values of the cards in each of the second card groups based on the second rule to determine a hand score for each player; and

comparing the hand scores between each of the players to determine at least one highest hand score and to define at least one winner for the second card group based on that player having the highest hand score.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the steps of determining a first points for the first card group and a second points for the second card group and at least one of the steps of awarding the first points for the first card group equally between the at least one winner of the first card group and awarding the second points for the second card group equally between the at least one winner of the second card group.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

indicating a score preference by each player as one of a first rate and a second rate;

totaling the players that indicated each of the first rate and the second rate; and

determining a voted rate for each game as indicated by at least half of the players.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3 further comprising the steps of determining a first point value for the first card group based on the voted rate and a second point value for the second card group based on the voted rate and awarding the first point value for the first card group equally between the at least one winner of the first card group based on the voted rate and the second point value for the second card group equally between the at least one winner of the second card group based on the voted rate.

5. A method as set forth in claim 3 further comprising the steps of surrendering wherein one player ends the game and awarding the point value determined by the first rate for the first card group and second card group equally between at least one opposing player.

6. A method as set forth in claim 3 wherein the game includes at least four players and further comprises the steps of comparing at least one of the first ranks and the hand scores between players that indicated the first rate and comparing at least one of the first ranks and the hand scores between players that indicated the second rate.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of discarding at least one card to signal the completion of the sorting.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of determining an integer value is further defined as including the step of determining the integer value for jacks as w, queens as x, kings as y, and aces as z with at least three of the integer value for the jacks, queens, kings, and aces having a different integer value.

9. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of sorting is further defined as sorting each starting hand into the first card group of m cards and the second card group of n cards.

10. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said step of determining a first rule is further defined as said steps of:

determining a probability of predetermined combinations of a predetermined number of cards to define the first rule for playing the game;

determining the possible outcomes for the first card group; and

ranking the predetermined combinations of the cards of the first card group according to the probability in order from least probable as a poker hand.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10 further comprising the step of analyzing each first card group according to the first rule with the least probable combination of the cards of one of the first card group establishing the at least one highest first card group.

12. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

determining a third rule for playing the game;

sorting each starting hand into a first card group, a second card group, and a third card group for each player;

analyzing the cards in each of the third card groups based on the third rule to determine a second rank for each player; and

comparing the second ranks between each of the players to determine at least one highest second rank and to define at least one winner for the third card group based on that player having the highest second rank.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12 further comprising the steps of determining a third points for the third card group and awarding the third points for the third card group equally between the at least one winner of the third card group.

14. A method as set forth in claim 12 further comprising the steps of:

indicating a score preference by each player as one of a first rate and a second rate;

totaling the players that indicated the first rate and the second rate;

determining a voted rate for each game as indicated by at least half of the players;

using one of the first rate and the second rate as indicated by at least half of the players to determine a voted rate for each game;

determining a first point value for the first card group based on the voted rate;

determining a second point value for the second card group based on the voted rate;

determining a third point value for the third card group based on the voted rate;

awarding the first point value for the first card group equally between the at least one winner of the first card group based on the voted rate;

awarding the second point value for the second card group equally between the at least one winner of the second card group based on the voted rate; and

awarding the third point value for the third card group equally between the at least one winner of the third card group based on the voted rate.

15. A method as set forth in claim 14 further comprising the steps of surrendering wherein one player ends the game and awarding the point value determined by the first rate for the third card group equally among at least one opposing player.

16. A method as set forth in claim 14 wherein the game includes at least four players and further comprises the step of comparing at least one of the first ranks, hand scores, and second ranks between only the players that indicated the first rate and comparing at least one of the first ranks, hand scores, and second ranks between only the players that indicated the second rate.

17. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein said step of determining a third rule is further defined as the steps of:

determining a probability of predetermined combinations of a predetermined number of cards;

determining the possible outcomes for the third card group;

ranking the predetermined combination of the cards of the third card group according to the probability in order from least probable as a poker hand; and

analyzing each third card group according to the third rule with the least probable combination of the cards establishing the at least one highest third card group.

18. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein said step of sorting is further defined as sorting each starting hand into the first card group totaling m cards, the second card group totaling n cards, and the third card group totaling p cards.

19. A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the second card group of n cards is further defined as equaling m-1 cards and the third card group of p cards is further defined as equaling m-2 cards.

20. A method for playing a card game with a plurality of players using a deck of cards, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a rule for playing the game;

dealing a plurality of cards to each player to define a starting hand for each player;

indicating a score preference by each player as one of a first rate and a second rate;

totaling the players that indicated each of the first rate and the second rate;

determining a voted rate as indicated by at least half of the players;

determining a point value based on the voted rate;

analyzing the cards based on the rule to determine a rank for each player;

comparing the ranks between each of the players to determine at least one highest rank and to define at least one winner; and

awarding the point value equally between the at least one winner based on the voted rate.

21. A method for playing a card game as set forth in claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

determining a first rule for playing the game;

determining a second rule for playing the game;

sorting each starting hand into a first card group and a second card group for each player;

determining a first point value for the first card group based on the voted rate and a second point value for the second card group based on the voted rate;

analyzing the cards in each of the first card groups based on the first rule to determine a first rank for each player;

comparing the first ranks between each of the players to determine at least one highest first rank and to define at least one winner for the first card group based on that player having the highest first rank;

awarding the first point value equally between the at least one winner of the first card group based on the voted rate.

analyzing the cards in each of the second card groups based on the second rule to determine a hand score for each player; and

comparing the second ranks between each of the players to determine at least one highest hand score and to define at least one winner for the second card group based on that player having the highest hand score; and

awarding the second point value equally between the at least one winner of the second card group based on the voted rate.

22. A method for playing a card game with a plurality of players using a deck of cards, said method comprising the steps of:

determining a first probability of predetermined combinations of a first predefined number of cards to define a first rule for playing the game;

determining an integer value associated with each card in the deck of cards to define a second rule for playing the game;

determining a second probability of predetermined combinations of a second predefined number of cards to define a third rule for playing the game;

dealing a plurality of cards to each player to define a starting hand for each player;

sorting each starting hand into a first card group, a second card group, and a third card group for each player;

discarding a card to signal the completion of the sorting;

analyzing the cards in each of the first card groups based on the first rule to determine a first rank for each player;

comparing the first ranks between each of the players to determine at least one highest first rank and to define at least one winner for the first card group;

totaling the integer values of the cards in each of the second card groups based on the second rule to determine a hand score for each player;

comparing the hand scores between each of the players to determine at least one highest hand score and to define at least one winner for the second card group;

analyzing the cards in each of the third card groups based on the third rule to determine a second rank for each player; and

comparing the second ranks between each of the players to determine at least one highest second rank and to define at least one winner for the third card group.

23. A method for playing a card game with a plurality of players using a deck of cards, said method comprising the steps of:

dealing a specified number of cards to each player;

defining a first rule of playing the game as including the steps of; determining a first probability of predetermined combinations of a first predefined number of cards with the rarer card combination having a highest value and the most common card combination having a lowest value, removing the first predefined number of cards from the specified number of cards to form a first card group, placing the predefined number of cards of the first group in an order of ranking based on the first probability of the predetermined combinations, determining a ranking for each player based on the first probability of the first predefined number of cards in the first card group,

defining a second rule of playing the game as including the steps of; determining an integer value associated with each card in the deck of cards, removing a second predefined number of cards from the specified number of cards to form a second card group, totaling the integer values of each card in the second card group to determine a hand score for each player,

comparing the rankings of all of the first card groups to determine at least one highest ranking; and

comparing the hand scores of all of the second card groups to determine at least one highest hand score.