Casino card game

Abstract

A casino card game requires each player to make an Ante wager and allows each player to also make a Bonus wager at the same time. Three cards are then dealt to each player and one card to the House. At that time, each player can fold or make a Bet wager, and for each of those players that make the Bet wager, they win if they have one or more cards higher in value and of the same suit as the House card. In the illustrated embodiment, the Bet wager is of the same amount as the Ante wager, and each player who does not make a Bet wager loses their Ante wager and any Bonus wager, if made. For winning hands, the Bet wager pays 1 to 1 and Bonus wagers pay according to a table depending upon the player's cards.

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 cards 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 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 card thrown by another of the players. As such, there tends to be a higher degree of supportive vocalization from the players not throwing the card. 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 card. 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.

There is a need for a card game that has reasonable odds, and 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 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 new card game that is easily understood and enjoyable to play.

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

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

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a casino card 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, dealing three cards to each player and one card to the House, allowing each player to made a bet wager, and for each of those players that make the bet wager, determining a winning player if that player has one or more cards higher in value and of the same suit as the House card.

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 card 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 card gaming table 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Casino card 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 dealer places three cards face down for each player and one card face down in center portion 29 of table 10 for the House. The House card suit is the trump suit, which will be explained below in connection with game play.

Each player may review their cards, after which each is allowed to make an additional wager placed in the Bet 25 position, which, in the illustrated form must be equal to the amount of the player's Ante 21 bet, though any appropriate wagering rules may be used.

For those players not making a Bet 25 wager, play ends and the Ante 21 wager and any Bonus 23 wager are removed and collected by the House. For those player making a bet 25 wager, play continues.

For those player making a Bet 25 wager, their cards are turned face up. A player wins if one or more of their cards is a higher value card than the House card and of the same suit, i.e., the trump suit. Accordingly, the House will win against all players with an ace. Losing bets are lost and collected by the House; Winning Bet 25 wagers are paid 1 to 1. Winning Bonus 23 wagers are paid, for example, as follows, depending upon the combination of cards the winning player has:

• • Pair pays 1 to 1
  • 3 of a kind pays 3 to 1
  • Flush pays 4 to 1
  • Straight pays 10 to 1
  • Straight Flush pays 25 to 1
    For the above payouts, a Pair is considered as two of the same numbered cards, 3 of a kind is considered as three of the same numbered cards, Flush is considered as three cards of the same suit, Straight is considered as three cards of consecutive numbers, and Straight Flush is considered as three consecutive numbered cards of the same suit. The above payouts are meant only as an example and not as required, but may be changed depending upon the overall play odds desired.

For wining players, the Ante 21 wager is paid 1 to 1, though alternate payouts may be employed.

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 cards used and therefore the outcomes of dealt cards, and when the cards are dealt, 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 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 card 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;

dealing three cards to each player and one card to the House;

allowing each player to made a Bet wager, and for each of those players that make the Bet wager, determining a winning player if that player has one or more cards higher in value and of the same suit as the House card.

2. A casino card game as claimed in claim 1 wherein the Bet wager is of the same amount as the Ante wager.

3. A casino card game as claimed in claim 1 wherein each player not making a bet wager loses their Ante wager and any Bonus wager, if made.

4. A casino card game as claimed in claim 1 wherein the Bet wager pays 1 to 1 to all wining players.

5. A casino card game as claimed in claim 1 wherein the Bonus wager, if made, pays according to a table depending upon the player's cards.