Casino card game

Abstract

A new card game based in part on Texas Hold 'Em which includes several distinct features designed to make the game more exciting. More specifically, unlike Texas Hold 'Em (where there is a final river card dealt face up and considered a community card), in the new card game each player is dealt his own individual “river card” in a face down fashion. Accordingly, there are only four community cards (three in “the flop” and one on “the turn”) and each player has three individual cards (two draw cards and their own individual river card). Additionally, the game is played with a shorted deck of cards wherein all 2's, 3's, 4's and 5's have been removed (i.e. only 36 cards).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to games of chance. More particularly, the invention relates to a card game of chance which allows for wagering in casino or on-line gambling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Games of chance continue to enjoy widespread acceptance and have been used in various forms from actual casino style gambling, to on-line gambling, to handheld electronics used purely for entertainment purposes. More specifically card games of chance such as blackjack and poker have long enjoyed public acceptance in casino style gambling at card tables or through automated video machines used on casino floors. These games have also been implemented through on-line gambling and/or handheld electronic devices.

However, as time elapses and space for casino style gaming becomes available only at a premium on the casino floor, new and exciting games of chance are continually being developed. Unfortunately, most successful games of chance are based, at least in part on existing, well known games, with which gamblers/consumers are already familiar in order to instill more confidence in the potential gambler.

One such game of chance which has recently risen to extreme popularity is known as “Texas Style Hold 'Em Poker” or “Texas Hold 'Em”. This poker game is extremely popular and has been featured in live tournaments throughout casinos all over the world, including televised events involving both novice, professional and celebrity icons.

The goal or object of Texas Hold 'Em is to create a winning hand, using any combination of five cards selected from a total of seven cards which are dealt to each player in a select order. FIG. 1 illustrates the basic concept involved in Texas Hold 'Em style poker. As shown in FIG. 1, each player is initially dealt two cards face down (often referred to as the “hole cards”) 101a,b. These initial two hole cards 101a,b are kept hidden from all other players at all times during the play of the game. It is noted that although FIG. 1 shows the two hole cards 101a,b for PLAYER 1 as being face up, this is for illustrative purposes only, in order to further explain play of the game, and it is understood that these two hole cards 101 a,b will actually be held face down at all times by PLAYER 1 so that they are visible to him/her alone and nobody else.

All players (PLAYER 1, PLAYER 2 and PLAYER 3) then place bets, pass, or fold, based upon the likelihood of holding a winning hand. It is noted that at this time each player only has two cards so he or she is really betting with this in mind, while knowing that five additional cards remain to be dealt, as further explained herein.

After all betting has stopped, three cards are dealt face-up central to the players such that these three cards (also known as “the flop”) 102 a,b,c are considered to be community or common cards available to each of the players. More specifically, each player still in the game at this point may use these three cards—i.e. the flop, in concert with the two contained in his or her hand (the holes cards), to create a possible winning combination of five cards. At this point, all remaining players then place bets, pass, or fold, based upon the likelihood of holding a winning hand. It is noted that at this time each player has five total cards out of seven, so he or she is really betting with this in mind, while knowing that two additional cards remain to be dealt, as further explained herein.

After all betting has stopped, one additional card (referred to as “the turn”) 103 is then dealt face-up central to the players (alongside the flop) such that the turn card is also considered to be a common or community card available to all remaining players. More specifically, each player still in the game at this point may use any combination of the flop, the turn and the two hole cards contained in his or her hand, to create a possible winning combination of five cards. Accordingly, each player now has a total of six cards from which to create a winning combination of five cards—i.e. a winning hand. All remaining players then place bets, pass, or fold, based upon the likelihood of holding a winning hand. It is once again noted that at this time each player has six total cards out of seven, so he or she is really betting with this in mind, while knowing that one additional card remains to be dealt, as further explained herein.

After all betting has stopped, one final card (referred to as “the river”) 104 is then dealt face-up central to the players (alongside the flop and the turn) as a last common or community card. Each player still in the game at this point may use any combination of the flop, the turn, the river, and the two hole cards contained in his or her hand, to create a possible winning combination of five cards. More specifically, each player now has a total of seven cards from which to create a winning combination of five cards—i.e. a winning hand. At this point, however, each player has two cards—the hole cards—which remain face down and hidden such that only they are aware of their content. Accordingly, although each player can see the flop, the turn and the river (cards common to all players), they cannot see the two hole cards each of the other remaining players hold in their hand.

At this point, all remaining players then place bets, pass, or fold, based upon the likelihood of holding a winning hand. After all betting has been completed, each remaining player will expose his or her two hole cards and the player having the best possible combination of five cards holds the winning hand and wins the pot.

As this point, each player uses his two hole cards, and the five community cards to create the best hand (5 cards total). A player can use any combination of five, so even if one card from his pocket cards and four of the community cards creates the best hand, it is fine. When all five of the cards in the community make the best hand for anyone and everyone remaining in the game, then everyone remaining in the card game (who has not yet folded) splits the pot. This is called “the board plays”.

Finally, it is noted that at any time during the game a player can fold, instead of betting, in order to get out of the hand. However, if a player folds, he loses all bets he or she has placed up to that point.

Although this Texas Hold 'Em poker game is very exciting, it is also highly unpredictable and somewhat unfair in that in many instances a player may hold a winning hand all the way up until the last card, the river card is placed down. With the current configuration of Texas Hold 'Em the success in bluffing and/or stonefacing an opponent into folding is significantly decreased because 5 of the 7 cards available to any player are dealt face up. Accordingly, many hard core poker players, whom enjoy a classic five card stud poker game (where all cards are face down), are hesitant to play Texas Hold 'Em due to its inherent unpredictability and its lack luster in not really allowing for last minute bluffing or stonefacing of an opponent.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have a card game which is similar to Texas Hold 'Em, a well known and universally accepted/popular game, which increases the degree of excitement available to any one player by increasing the number of unpredictable cards thereby enhancing the chances of bluffing or stonefacing an opponent into folding.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a new card game which is based in part on Texas Hold 'Em but which includes several distinct, additional and inherent features designed to make the game more exciting and fun by allowing for each player to have an increased possibility of winning by bluffing and/or stonefacing the other players because the final card, the river card is kept/dealt in a turned down fashion, with each player having his or her own individual river card. More specifically, and unlike Texas Hold 'Em style poker (where there is a final river card which is dealt face up and considered a common or community card), in the present invention each player is dealt his or her own individual “river card” in a face down fashion. Accordingly, there are only four common cards (three in “the flop” and one on “the turn”) and each player has three individual cards (the two draw or hole cards and their own individual river card).

Additionally, although each player will attempt to create a winning hand from the best five out of seven cards, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention the best combination of five must preferably include at least two of a player's individual cards—i.e. two of the cards in the winning hand must come from the player's draw/hole cards and/or individual river cards, as explained in further detail hereinafter. In a first alternative embodiment, at least three cards in the winning hand must come from a player's draw/hole cards and/or individual river cards. Otherwise, in a second alternative embodiment, at least one card in the winning hand must come from the player's draw/hole cards and/or individual river cards.

Finally, unlike Texas Hold 'Em style poker, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a short stacked deck in which all the low cards (2s, 3s, 4s and 5s) have been removed, leaving only thirty six (36) cards in the deck to be used for play. In this embodiment, the high card in the short stacked deck, the ace (A) can serve as both a low card or a high card on a straight or straight flush—e.g. (A, 6, 7, 8, 9) and/or (10, J, Q, K, A)

These and other features and embodiments of the invention will become evident from the following figures and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the basic concept involved in the conventional prior art Texas Hold 'Em style poker;

FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d illustrate the basic concept involved in a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow-chart which details the flow of play in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a chart detailing a preferred order of “winning hands” in ranking of highest to lowest, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein two cards in the winning hand are selected from a player's three face down cards and three cards are selected from the common or community cards;

FIG. 5 illustrates a chart detailing a preferred order of “winning hands” in ranking of highest to lowest, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein three cards in the winning hand are selected from a player's three face down cards and two cards are selected from the common or community cards; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a chart detailing a preferred order of “winning hands” in ranking of highest to lowest, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein one card in the winning hand are selected from a player's three face down cards and four cards are selected from the common or community cards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As explained earlier herein, in a preferred embodiment the present invention is idly suited for actual live play on a card table on a casino floor, it contains features of a well known card game referred to as Texas Hold 'Em, along with several new elements/features of play designed to enhance the game for more exciting and challenging play. By including at least some features of an already known card game, the present invention is likely to be more successful in attracting players already familiar with Texas Hold 'Em while also drawing in card players that may prefer a more traditional poker playing style—such as five card stud poker.

FIGS. 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d illustrate the basic concept involved in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2a, there are shown four different areas of a casino style card table. In a first area, two face down draw or hole cards 201a,b are dealt to a first player PLAYER 1. Similarly, in the second and third areas, two individual face down draw cards are also dealt to two different players, PLAYER 2 (202a,b) and PLAYER 3 (203a,b) respectively. It is noted that although FIG. 2a shows the two draw cards 201a,b for PLAYER 1 as being face up, this is for illustrative purposes only, in order to further explain play of the game, and it is understood that these two draw or hole cards 201 a,b will actually be dealt and held face down at all times by PLAYER 1, such that the cards are actually only visible to him/her alone and nobody else. Although this description refers to three players, it is understood that in a preferred embodiment of the present invention actual play of the game may be played with up to nine (9) players at a time.

The fourth area of the casino style card game is referred to as the “common” or “community” area 204 where common or community cards which may be shared by all, as further explained hereinafter, are dealt/placed. As shown in FIG. 2a, at the start of play, no cards are dealt or placed within this area.

After PLAYER 1, PLAYER 2 and PLAYER 3 have all been dealt their two individual face down draw cards, they may look at their individual cards and place bets, pass or fold in accordance with their belief that they will hold the winning hand at the end of the game—i.e. in the hope that he or she will be able to create the best combination of five cards out of seven. As with conventional/traditional Texas Hold 'Em poker, it is noted that at this time each player only has two cards so he or she is really betting with this in mind, while knowing that five additional cards remain to be dealt, as further explained herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2b, once all initial betting has been completed, three cards 205 are dealt face up in the fourth area 204 of the casino style card game or common area. These cards 205 are referred to as the flop and are common or community cards, from which all players may attempt to “construct” a winning hand. After the flop 205 has been dealt, all players may again place bets, pass or fold in accordance with their belief that they will hold the winning hand at the end of the game. It is once again noted that at this time each player only has five cards so he or she is really betting with this in mind, while knowing that two additional cards remain to be dealt, as further explained herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2c, once all of the betting has completed, an additional card 206, referred to as “the turn card” is then dealt face up in the fourth or common/community area 204. Again, all four cards from the community or common area are common or community cards, from which all players remaining in the game may attempt to “construct” a winning hand. After the turn card 206 has been dealt, all players may again place bets, pass or fold in accordance with their belief that they will hold the winning hand at the end of the game. It is noted that at this time each player has six of seven total cards, so he or she is really betting with this in mind, while knowing that only one additional card remains to be dealt, as further explained herein.

Finally, referring to FIG. 2d, once all betting has again completed, a final card is dealt face down separately to each player 207. Accordingly, PLAYER 1, PLAYER 2 and PLAYER 3 each has two face down draw or hole cards, which they were each dealt at the beginning of the game, and each of them now also has a third face down card 207, known as their individual “river card”. It is noted that although FIG. 2d shows the two draw cards 201a,b and the river card 207 for PLAYER 1 as being face up, this is for illustrative purposes only, in order to further explain play of the game, and it is understood that these three cars have all actually been dealt and held face down at all times by PLAYER 1, such that the cards are actually only visible to him/her alone and nobody else.

Once all players have been dealt their individual face down river card 207, they may look at their individual river cards and place bets, pass or fold in accordance with their belief that they will hold the winning hand at the end of the game.

Again, in a preferred embodiment, the object of the present invention is for each player to bet (and win the pot) based upon the player's belief that he or she will be able to create a winning hand using the best possible combination of five cards choosing/using at least two cards from the player's individual three face down cards (the two draw cards and their own individual river card) and three cards from the four cards placed in the common area (the flop and the turn card). In an alternative embodiment, players may create a winning hand using the best possible combination of five cards, using all three cards from the player's individual three face down cards (the two draw cards and their own individual river card) and two cards from the four cards placed in the common area (the flop and the turn card) or a player may create a winning hand using the best possible combination of five cards using just one card from their three face down cards and all four common area or community cards (the flop and the turn card). Accordingly, a player may construct or create a winning hand using any one of the following possible combination of number of cards from his/her own individual hand and from the common or community cards:

PLAYER'S INDIVIDUAL COMMON
CARDS               CARDS
1                   4
2                   3
3                   2

As explained earlier, in a preferred embodiment, the card game of the present invention is played using a shorted card deck in which all 2's, 3's, 4's and 5's have been removed (leaving a total of 36 cards in the deck). Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, any and all aces (A's) in the deck can also operate as both high cards and low cards (i.e., every ace can be a high card on the end of a royal straight or royal straight flush (i.e.—10, J, K, Q and A (e.g. non-suited and/or suited)) or it can serve as the low card (a five) on the end of a low straight or low straight flush (A, 6, 7, 8, and 9 (e.g. non-suited and/or suited)).

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow-chart which details the flow of play in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As shown, two face down draw cards are dealt to each player 301 and after each player has been dealt his/her two individual face down draw cards, they may look at their individual cards and place bets, pass or fold in accordance with their belief that they will hold the winning hand at the end of the game 302.

Once all betting has been completed, three common or community cards are dealt face up (referred to as “the flop”), from which all players may attempt to “construct” or create a winning hand 303. After the flop has been dealt, all players may again place bets, pass or fold in accordance with their belief that they will hold the winning hand at the end of the game 304.

Once all of the betting has completed, an additional common or community card, referred to as “the turn card” is then dealt face up 305. Again, all four cards from the common area are community cards are cards from which all players may attempt to “construct” or “create” a winning hand. After the turn card has been dealt, all players may again place bets, pass or fold in accordance with their belief that they will hold the winning hand at the end of the game 306.

Once all betting has again completed, a final card is dealt face down to each individual player remaining in the game. This card is known as that player's individual “river card” 307. Accordingly, unlike conventional Texas Hold 'Em, the river card is not a community card. Instead, each user is dealt his or her own individual river card in a face down fashion. Once all players have been dealt their individual face down river card, they may look at their individual river cards 308 and place bets, pass or fold in accordance with their belief that they will hold the winning hand at the end of the game 309.

At the end of the game—i.e. once all betting has completed, all remaining players turn over their three face down cards (the two draw cards and their river card) 310 and the player holding the highest or best possible combination of five cards (using at least two from his/her three face down cards) and three or less from the community cards) is declared as having the winning hand and wins all previously placed bets 311.

As mentioned earlier herein, in a preferred embodiment, the card game of the present invention is played using a card deck in which all 2's, 3's, 4's and S's have been removed (leaving a total of 36 cards in the deck). In this embodiment, any and all aces (A's) in the deck can then operate as both high cards and low cards (i.e., every ace can be a high card on the end of a royal straight or royal straight flush (i.e.—10, J, K, Q and A (e.g. non-suited and/or suited)) or it can serve as the low card (a five) on the end of a low straight or low straight flush (A, 6, 7, 8, and 9 (e.g. non-suited and/or suited)).

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a chart detailing a preferred order of “winning hands” in ranking of highest to lowest, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention when the game is played with two of the five cards in a winning hand coming from a player's individual hand and the remaining three cards coming from the community or common cards.

Alternatively, FIG. 5 illustrates a chart detailing a preferred order of “winning hands” in ranking of highest to lowest, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention when the game is played with three of the five cards in a winning hand coming from a player's individual hand and the remaining two cards coming from the community or common cards.

Alternatively, FIG. 6 illustrates a chart detailing a preferred order of “winning hands” in ranking of highest to lowest, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention when the game is played with one of the five cards in a winning hand coming from a player's individual hand and the remaining four cards all coming from the community or common cards.

Although the present invention is idly suited for live interactive play on a casino game floor, and has been described hereinout with reference thereto, it is understood that the card game of the present invention may also be implemented in other ways. For example, it may be played in a live interactive fashion over the Internet or an intranet/local area network. Interactive gaming/gambling over the Internet is well known in the art and one of ordinary skill would know how to design/implement software in order to allow for playing the card game of the present invention over the Internet.

Alternatively, the card game of the present invention may also be implemented in a plurality of interactive electronic machines all interconnected via a host computer or server, much like a plurality of electronic blackjack or poker machines which are interconnected and allow for users to win a collective jackpot. In this embodiment, each user will sit at one of the interconnected machines and play the card game as if sitting at a casino gaming table, with a display showing his/her individual hand, common or collective cards, betting options and the collective pot. Users may play against each other or against the host computer or server.

The preceding information accurately describes the major features and functionality of the present invention. While the description above contains many specifics, it should not be construed as a limitation on the scope of the invention, but rather as an illustration of exemplifications of particular embodiments thereof. One of ordinary skill in the art may make many changes, modifications, and substitutions without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for playing a card game of chance comprising:

dealing two face down draw or hole cards to each player;

receiving a first round of bets after each player has been dealt his/her two individual face down draw cards and has had the opportunity to view his or her cards;

dealing three common or community cards face up (referred to as “the flop”), from which all players remaining in the game after the first round of betting may attempt to “construct” or create a winning hand;

receiving a second round of bets after the flop has been dealt;

dealing an additional common or community card face up, referred to as “the turn card”, wherein all four common or community cards are cards from which all players remaining in the game after the second round of betting may attempt to “construct” or “create” a winning hand;

receiving a third round of bets after the turn card has been dealt;

dealing a final card face down to each individual player remaining in the game after the third round of betting, known as their “river card”;

receiving a final round of bets after each player has been dealt his/her individual river card; and

having all remaining players turn over their three face down cards (the two draw cards and their river card) and selecting the player holding the winning hand, wherein the winning hand is the highest or best possible combination of five cards selected from the common or community cards and each player's individual face down cards (their two draw cards and their individual river card).

2. The method for playing the card game of chance as in claim 1, wherein the card game of chance is played using at least one card deck which includes only thirty-six (36) cards comprised of a normal card deck of cards having all 2's, 3s', 4's and 5's removed.

3. The method for playing the card game of chance as in claim 2, wherein the step of selecting the player holding the highest or best possible combination is accomplished by using at least two cards from the player's three face down cards and the remaining cards from the community cards.

4. The method for playing the card game of chance as in claim 2, wherein the step of selecting the player holding the highest or best possible combination is accomplished by using one card from the player's three face down cards and all four community or common cards.

5. The method for playing the card game of chance as in claim 2, wherein any and all aces (A's) in the deck operate as both high cards and low cards (i.e., every ace can be a high card on the end of a royal straight or royal straight flush, or it can serve as the low card (a five) on the end of a low straight or low straight flush).

6. A card game of chance comprising:

two draw cards dealt face down to each player in the game;

three common or community cards (referred to as “the flop”) dealt face up, from which all players may attempt to “construct” or create a winning hand;

an additional common or community card (referred to as “the turn card”) dealt face up, from which all players may attempt to “construct” or “create” a winning hand;

a final card (referred to as a “river card”) dealt face down to each player in the game; and

wherein players turn over their three face down cards (the two draw cards and their river card) and the player holding the highest or best possible combination of five cards from all seven cards (including their two individual draw cards, the three common flop cards, the one common turn card, and their individual river card) is selected as having the winning hand.

7. The card game of chance as in claim 6, wherein the card game of chance is played using at least one card deck which includes only thirty-six (36) cards comprised of a normal card deck of cards having all 2's, 3s', 4's and 5's removed.

8. The card game of chance as in claim 7, wherein the step of the player selected as having the winning hand holds the highest or best possible combination using at least two cards from the player's three face down cards and the remaining cards from the community cards.

9. The card game of chance as in claim 7, wherein the step of the player selected as having the winning hand holds the highest or best possible combination using one card from the player's three face down cards and all four community cards.

10. The card game of chance as in claim 7, wherein any and all aces (A's) in the deck operate as both high cards and low cards (i.e., every ace can be a high card on the end of a royal straight or royal straight flush, or it can serve as the low card (a five) on the end of a low straight or low straight flush).

11. A card game of chance between at least two players, each attempting to create a winning hand in order to win a betting pot or pool, the card game comprising:

two draw cards dealt face down to each player;

three common or community flop cards dealt face up;

one common or community turn card also dealt face up; and

an individual river card dealt face down to each player, wherein each player attempts to create a winning hand comprised of the highest or best possible combination of five cards, said winning hand being created using at least two cards selected from the two draw cards and the individual river card, and the remaining cards selected from the flop cards and turn card.

12. The card game of chance as in claim 11, wherein the card game of chance is played using at least one card deck which includes only thirty-six (36) cards comprised of a normal deck of cards having all 2's, 3s', 4's and 5's removed.

13. The card game of chance as in claim 11, wherein each player creates a winning hand using the highest or best possible combination of five cards by using one card selected from the two draw cards and the individual river card, and all four common or community cards (the three flop cards and the turn card).

14. The card game of chance as in claim 11, where all aces can double as fives at the beginning of a low straight.