Methods and Devices for Playing a Card Game

Abstract

The present application is directed to methods and devices for playing poker card games. One embodiment discloses a method to play Texas Hold 'Em poker with two dealers dealing simultaneous and separate games at a single table. A player may play two hands simultaneously, one dealt by a first dealer and one dealt by a second dealer, each hand having a separate pot. One embodiment discloses a playing surface to facilitate playing Texas Hold 'Em poker with two dealers dealing simultaneous and separate games at a single table. One embodiment discloses an electronic version of playing Texas Hold 'Em poker wherein the player plays two separate hands simultaneously.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/077,818 filed on Jul. 2, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present application is directed to methods of and devices for playing a card game and, more particularly, for playing two poker hands simultaneously at one table.

The popularity of poker in the United States and elsewhere in the world has increased substantially over the past several years. Due in large part to the popularity of televised poker tournaments, the gaming industry estimates that 50 to 80 million people play some form of poker. The popular appeal of the game stems from the competitive nature of the game and the fact that, unlike most sports games, physical prowess is not required to excel.

Much of tournament poker and nearly all of the televised tournaments center around a variation of poker known as Texas Hold 'Em. This is a relatively fast paced game in which each player is dealt two hole cards that only the player can see. A series of community cards are then dealt, beginning with a set of three cards that are turned face up for all players to see. After a round of betting, one additional community card is revealed, followed by another round of betting. A final community card is revealed and one last round of betting ensues before a winner is declared.

The popularity of televised Texas Hold 'Em tournaments has led to a sharp increase in popularity of the game among the general public as a casino game. Many people watch the tournaments and want to test their skill. Because few people have the inclination to qualify for a tournament, these would-be poker players typically try their luck at casinos. A typical casino devotes a significant amount of floor space to the game, so the amount of money generated per square foot of floor space must be maintained at an acceptable level. In most poker games, the casino's profit comes from taking a percentage of each pot since the players compete against one another, not the house. Thus, in order to increase the profit from poker games, the casino must increase the number of hands played.

SUMMARY

The present application is directed to methods and devices for playing poker card games. One embodiment discloses a method to play Texas Hold 'Em poker with two dealers dealing simultaneous and separate games at a single table. A player may play two hands simultaneously, one dealt by a first dealer and one dealt by a second dealer, each hand having a separate pot. One embodiment discloses a playing surface to facilitate playing Texas Hold 'Em poker with two dealers dealing simultaneous and separate games at a single table. One embodiment discloses an electronic version of playing Texas Hold 'Em poker wherein the player plays two separate hands simultaneously.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a playing surface according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a playing surface according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a method of playing a card game according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a computing system to implement an electronic version of a method to play a card game according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is directed to methods and devices for playing card games. In one embodiment, the method is used to play Texas Hold 'Em poker with two dealers dealing simultaneous and separate games at a single table. Texas Hold 'Em poker is a type of stud poker game in which a player makes the best five-card poker hand from among two hole cards and five community cards. The player with the best five-card hand wins the “pot” which is all of the money bet by all of the players during that game.

Because a casino's income from a poker game is derived from taking a percentage of each pot, the income from poker games can be increased only by increasing the number of hands played, assuming the casino's take percentage remains the same. Previously, increasing the number of hands played could only be accomplished by increasing the number of tables on the casino floor dedicated to poker games. However, this solution is problematic because the floor space allocated to other games would have to be reduced in order to increase the floor space allocated to poker games. Since slot machines occupy upwards of 70-90 percent of the floor space in a casino, the floor space for additional poker tables would most likely have to come from the slot machine floor space. This is unlikely to happen because the profit per square foot of floor space for slot machines may be as much as 2-3 time that for poker games. The present invention solves this problem by increasing the number of poker hands played in a given unit of time without increasing the floor space dedicated to poker games. Thus, the present invention will increase the profit margin of poker games within a casino without affecting any other games.

A game of Texas Hold 'Em poker is played with a standard 52-card deck and begins by placing the dealer button—typically a round disc—on a playing table in front of the player to the dealer's left. The dealer button indicates which player would be the dealer if the deal advanced from player to player after each successive hand is played. This is necessary in casino games because the players are not allowed to deal. The player to the left of the player with the button is typically required to place a predetermined amount of money into the pot. This is called the “small blind.” The next player to the left of the small blind is required to also place a predetermined amount of money into the pot. This amount is the “big blind” and is equal to twice the small blind. The blinds are used to make sure there is something in the pot to play for on each hand.

The dealer then deals two cards one at a time face down to each player. These cards are called the “hole cards.” Each player may now look at their hole cards, but does not show the hole cards to the other players. A first round of betting now takes place, beginning with the player to the left of the big blind. This player must then decide to call the current bet (the big blind), raise the bet, or fold his hand. When a player folds his hand, he is out of the game and does not participate until the next game is dealt. Each player in turn around the table continues the round of betting until all players call or fold.

The dealer then burns the top card of the deck of remaining cards, which means the card is removed from the deck and placed to the side unused. After burning a card, the dealer deals three cards face down in an area of the table designated for the community cards. The dealer then turns all three cards over simultaneously. This is called the “flop.” Another round of betting now takes place, beginning with the player who is the little blind. As with the previous betting, each player in turn may call the bet, raise the bet, or fold. If the player beginning the betting does not want to bet, he may “check,” which passes the ability to make the first bet to the next player to the left who has not already folded. This next player may also check or bet. This round of betting concludes when all players call the last bet or check.

The dealer then burns another card and places a fourth community card face up next to the three previously dealt community cards. This card is known as the “turn” or “Fourth Street.” Another round of betting ensues identical to the betting round after the flop.

After again burning a card, the dealer places a fifth community card face up next to the previous four community cards. This community card is known as the “river” or “Fifth Street.” A final round of betting takes place, then all remaining players reveal their hand. Each player makes the best five-card poker hand from among their two hole cards and the five community cards. The winner is the player with the highest ranking poker hand. The standard hierarchy of poker hands in ascending order is:

Single high card;

One pair;

Two pair;

Three of a kind;

Straight;

Flush;

Full house;

Four of a kind;

Straight flush; and

Royal straight flush.

One embodiment of the present invention includes two dealers at a single table. This embodiment allows two separate games to be played simultaneously at the table. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a playing surface 10 that may be used with the present invention. The playing surface 10 may be generally ovoid in shape. A first dealer D1 and a second dealer D2 are positioned opposite one another across the playing surface 10. The players P1-P8 are arranged around the playing surface 10. Although FIG. 1 illustrates eight players P1-P8, the playing surface 10 may be configured to accommodate a lesser or greater number.

The playing surface 10 may include a designated area for each dealer's supply of chips 16, 18 and a designated area for each dealer's community cards 12, 14. Each dealer D1, D2 may also maintain their respective pots 20, 22 in an area adjacent to the community cards 12, 14.

Each player P1-P8 has a first playing area A1 and a second playing area A2 on the playing surface 10. The first playing area A1 corresponds to the hole cards (not shown in FIG. 1) dealt by the first dealer D1 and the chips (not shown in FIG. 1) bet by the player P1-P8 for the hand dealt by the first dealer D1. The second playing area similarly corresponds to the hole cards and chips associated with the hand dealt by the second dealer D2. The broken lines shown in FIG. 1 are for illustrative purposes only to more clearly delineate the areas controlled by the dealers D1, D2 and the players P1-P8 and are not intended to be part of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the playing surface 10 in which the playing surface 10 is divided into a first playing zone 30 and a second playing zone 40. The first dealer D1 operates within the first playing zone 30. The first dealer D1 deals the hole cards 24 only within the first playing zone 30 at each player P1-P8 position. Each player P1-P8 maintains the hole cards 24 from the first dealer D1 within the first playing zone 30, as well as the chips representing the bet associated with the hand being dealt by the first dealer D1. Similarly, the second dealer D2 operates within the second playing zone 40, and the players P1-P8 maintain hole cards 24 and chips associated with the hand being dealt by the second dealer D2 within the second playing zone 40.

The first and second playing zones 30, 40 may be delineated by contrasting colors. For example, the first playing zone 30 may be red and the second playing zone 40 may be blue. However, contrasting colors may be problematic for players P1-P8 who are color blind, so contrasting patterns may be used to distinguish the first and second playing zones 30, 40. For example, the first playing zone 30 may be striped and the second playing zone 40 may be dotted. Other embodiments may use any other colors or any other designs, or a combination of colors and designs.

One embodiment of the playing surface 10 uses a raised ridge along a space between the first and second playing zones 30, 40 for delineation. One embodiment uses a depressed trough along the border for delineation. Raising or lower the first or second playing zones 30, 40 relative to one another or relative to other areas of the playing surface 10 may also be used for delineation.

Each of the deck of cards used by the first dealer D1 and the second dealer D2 may be delineated in a manner similar to the playing surface 10. Such delineation would readily allow the dealers D1, D2 and the players P1-P8 to recognize each which cards belong to the first dealer D1 and which cards belong to the second dealer D2. In one embodiment, the delineations used for the playing zones 30, 40 are repeated on the decks of cards. For example, if the first playing zone is red, the first dealer's D1 deck of cards would also be red, and the second dealer's D2 deck would be a different color or design. The delineation of the deck of cards would be apparent on both the back and the front of each card so the delineation could be seen regardless of whether the cards are positioned face up or face down on the playing surface 10.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating how to play a card game using two dealers to simultaneously deal two separate games at a single table. In this embodiment, the card game is Texas Hold 'Em poker. Reference will also be made to the dealer D1, D2 and player P1-P8 positions as illustrated in FIG. 1. Play begins by the first dealer D1 designating one player P1-P8 as the dealer and placing the dealer button in front of that player on the playing surface 10 (step 100). At the initial start of play, the first player P1-P8 to be designated the dealer is the player P1-P8 to the first dealer's D1 immediate left. As shown in FIG. 1, the first designated dealer would be player P8. The player to the left player P8, which is player P7, then places the little blind into the first dealer's pot 20. The player to the left of player P7, which is player P6, places the big blind into the first dealer's pot 20 (step 102).

The second dealer D1 then begins play in a similar manner as the first dealer D1 by first designating one player P1-P8 as the dealer (step 104). Initially, the designated dealer would be the player P1-P8 to the immediate left of the second dealer D2. As illustrated in FIG. 1, this would be player P4. The player to the left of player P4, which is player P3, then places the little blind into the second dealer's pot 22. The player to the left of player P3, which is player P2, places the big blind into the second dealer's pot 22 (step 106).

It should be noted that FIG. 3 illustrates that the second dealer D2 begins play only after the blinds have been completed for the first dealer D1. While it is beneficial for the smooth play of the game for the first dealer's D1 game to be progressing slightly ahead of the second dealer's D2 game, such an offset is not required by the present invention. Both dealers D1, D2 may begin play at the same time, or may be offset by a greater or lesser amount than illustrated in FIG. 3 and still be within the scope of the present invention.

The first dealer D1 then deals two hole cards 24 to each player P1-P8 (step 108). The first dealer D1 places the hole cards 24 within the first playing area A1 of each player P1-P8 so that there is no confusion between the first dealer's hole cards 24 and the second dealer's hole cards 24. The first round of betting for the first dealer's D1 game now occurs, beginning with the player to the left of the big blind, which is player P5 (step 110). Player P5 must either call the current bet (the big blind), raise the bet, or fold. Betting continues until all players either call or fold. The second dealer D2 then deals two hole cards 24 to each player P1-P8 (step 112). The second dealer D2 places the hole cards 24 within the second playing area A2 of each player P1-P8. The first round of betting for the second dealer's D2 game begins with the player to the left of the big blind, which is player P2 (step 114) and continues in the same manner described above for the first dealer D1.

Next, the first dealer D1 deals the flop by first burning the top card of the deck, dealing three cards face down, then turning over the three cards in the designated area for community cards 12 (step 116). A second round of betting now occurs, beginning with player P8 (the little blind) (step 118). However, now player P8 has the option of checking (not making a bet). The betting round continues until all players call, check, or fold. The second dealer D2 now deals the flop for his hand (step 120) in the designated area for community cards 14, and the second round of betting for the second dealer D2 progresses as described above for the first dealer D1, beginning with player P4 (step 122).

The first dealer D1 then burns a card and places the turn card face up in the designated area for community cards 12 (step 124). A third round of betting then occurs (step 126). The second dealer D2 also deals the turn card (step 128) followed by a third round of betting (step 130).

After burning a card, the first dealer deals the final community card, the river card (step 132), and the fourth and final round of betting occurs (step 134). Similar actions are taken by the second dealer D2 (steps 136 and 138). All remaining players P1-P8 who have not folded the first dealer's D1 hand turn over their hole cards 24 from the first dealer D1. The player P1-P8 with the highest value five-card poker hand compiled from the two hole cards 24 from the first dealer D1 and the first dealer's community cards 12 is declared the winner of the first dealer's pot 20 (step 140). Once the first dealer's pot 20 is resolved, all remaining players P1-P8 who have not folded the second dealer's D2 hand turn over their hole cards 24 from the second dealer D2. The player with the highest value five-card poker hand compiled from the two hole cards 24 from the second dealer D2 and the second dealer's community cards 14 is declared the winner of the second dealer's pot 22 (step 142). Once the second dealer's pot is resolved, the game ends (step 144). Before beginning the next game, each of the dealer buttons is moved one player P1-P8 to the left (and, hence, the big blind and little blind shift one player P1-P8 to the left). In some embodiments, the number of cards compiled from the hole cards 24 and the community cards 12, 14 to form the poker hand may be greater than or less than five.

In one embodiment, the players P1-P8 are allowed to use both the first dealer's community cards 12 and the second dealer's community cards 14 in conjunction with the hole cards 24 to form the poker hands. In the example above, at step 140 or step 142 each player P1-P8 would turn over the hole cards 24 from either the first or second dealer D1, D2 and determine the highest value five-card (or some other number of cards) poker hand from among the hole cards 24, the first dealer's community cards 12, and the second dealer's community cards 14.

The present invention may also be implemented as an electronic gaming machine or through an Internet portal. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a computing system that may be used to conduct the present invention within an electronic gaming system. A processor 80 may be configured to run a computer-implemented program stored on a computer-readable medium such as memory 82. The processor 80 may be linked to a central server 98 that controls the operation of the processor 80 and may additionally link the processor 80 to other processors 80 running the program. An input/output device 84 allows the processor 80 to communicate with a display device 86 and a user interface 88. The display device 86 allows information generated by the processor 80, such as the playing cards, amount of the bet, amount of the player's bankroll, number of other players participating, and other information relevant to the game to be visually displayed to the player. The user interface 88 functions to convert, if necessary, the information inputted through the user input device 90 into a format readable by the input/output device 84. For example, the player may input a bet of $100 through the user input device 90. The user interface 88 may convert the user input to a digital format readable by the input/output device 84. In one embodiment, the display device 86 and the user input device 90 are a single unit, such a touch screen video display.

In one embodiment, the user interface 88 is adapted to communicate with a web server 94 over an Internet connection 92. In this embodiment, the user interface 88 allows multiple remote players each using a remote user input device 96 to communicate with the processor 80. The remote players may participate in the play of the game either individually or in groups.

In one embodiment of an electronic version of the present invention, processor 80 causes one or more first hole cards and one or more second hole cards to be displayed on the display device 86. The processor 80 also causes one or more first community cards associated with a first betting pool and one or more second community cards associated with a second betting pool to be displayed on the display device 86. The processor 80 may accept a first bet associated with the one or more first hole cards and a second bet associated with the one or more second hole cards inputted by the player using the user input device 90 or the remote user interface 96. The processor 80 may allow multiple opportunities for the player to place bets throughout the play of the game. The processor 80 then allows the player to choose any combination of five cards selected from the one or more first hole cards and the one or more first community cards to form the player's first hand. The player selection is inputted using the user input device 90 or the remote user interface 96. The processor 80 compares a value assigned to the player's first hand to a value assigned to a third hand and provides a payout to the player if the value of the first hand is greater than the value of the third hand. The processor 80 may then allow the player to choose any combination of five cards selected from the one or more second hole cards and the one or more second community cards to form the player's second hand. The processor 80 compares a value assigned to the player's second hand to a value assigned to a fourth hand and provides a payout to the player if the value of the second hand is greater than the value of the fourth hand. The third and fourth hands may be the hand selected by other players participating in the game or may be an imaginary player created by the processor 80 to facilitate game play. The third and fourth hands may be different hands or they may be the same hand.

While the above description describes the present invention in terms of playing Texas Hold 'Em poker, the present invention may be used to play other card games as well. Games such as five card stud poker, seven card stud poker, Omaha Hole 'Em poker, and the like including high/low versions, as well as blackjack may be played using the present invention without departing from the scope of the claims.

Spatially relative terms such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper”, and the like, are used for ease of description to explain the positioning of one element relative to a second element. These terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to different orientations than those depicted in the figures. Further, terms such as “first”, “second”, and the like, are also used to describe various elements, regions, sections, etc. and are also not intended to be limiting. Like terms refer to like elements throughout the description.

As used herein, the terms “having”, “containing”, “including”, “comprising”, and the like are open ended terms that indicate the presence of stated elements or features, but do not preclude additional elements or features. The articles “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural as well as the singular, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The present invention may be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the scope and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

EXAMPLE

As a control, a standard game of Texas Hold 'Em poker was played using a professional poker dealer. The game was played in a manner as close as possible to a casino game of Texas Hold 'Em, including a dealer button, big and little blinds, regulation casino chips, and a 52-card deck. The average number of hands played per hour was approximately 25.

A game of Texas Hold 'Em according to the present invention using two dealers was then conducted. This game used the same number of players as the control. Both dealers were professional poker dealers, and the game was also conducted in a manner as close as possible to a casino game of Texas Hold 'Em. Using the method of the present invention, the number of hands played per hour showed a minimum increase of 44 percent over the control using a single dealer. It is theorized that a higher percent increase can be obtained once the players and dealers become more accustomed to the play of the game according to the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of playing a card game by one or more players, comprising:

dealing one or more first hole cards by a first dealer from a first deck of playing cards to each of the one or more players, and dealing one or more second hole cards by a second dealer from a second deck of playing cards to each of the one or more players;

dealing one or more first community cards from the first deck by the first dealer;

dealing one or more second community cards from the second deck by the second dealer;

allowing alternating rounds of betting and dealing one or more additional first and second community cards by each of the first and second dealers;

determining a first winner from among the one or more players, wherein each of the one or more players combines a predetermined number of cards from among the one or more first hole cards and the one or more first community cards to form a first hand, and the player having the first hand of a highest value declared the first winner; and

determining a second winner from among the one or more players, wherein each of the one or more players combines a predetermined number of cards from among the one or more second hole cards and the one or more second community cards to form a second hand, and the player having the second hand of a highest value declared the second winner.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein dealing the one or more first hole cards comprises dealing the one or more first hole cards to a first designated area of a playing surface, and dealing the one or more second hole cards comprises dealing the one or more second hole cards to a second designated area of the playing surface.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first designated area is distinct from the second designated area.

4. The method of claim one wherein determining a first winner and a second winner further comprises assigning a value to each of the first hands and each of the second hands according to a poker hierarchy.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein allowing alternating rounds of betting and dealing further comprises allowing a first player to place a first bet in relation to the first player's first one or more hole cards, and each of the other players either calling the bet, raising the bet, or folding based on the each of the other players' first one or more hole cards; and allowing a second player to place a second bet in relation to the second player's second one or more hole cards, and each of the other players either calling the bet, raising the bet, or folding based on the each of the other players' second one or more hole cards.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein dealing one or more first and second hole cards comprises dealing two first hole cards and two second hole cards.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein dealing one or more first and second community cards comprises dealing three first community cards and three second community cards, and dealing one or more additional first and second community cards comprises dealing two additional first community cards and two additional second community cards.

8. A method of playing a card game by one or more players, comprising:

dealing one or more first hole cards by a first dealer from a first deck of playing cards to each of the one or more players, and dealing one or more second hole cards by a second dealer from a second deck of playing cards to each of the one or more players, wherein the one or more first hole cards are positioned within a first designated area of a playing surface and the one or more second hole cards are positioned within a second designated area of the playing surface;

dealing one or more first community cards from the first deck by the first dealer;

dealing one or more second community cards from the second deck by the second dealer;

allowing alternating rounds of betting and dealing one or more additional first and second community cards by each of the first and second dealers;

determining a first winner from among the one or more players, wherein each of the one or more players combines a predetermined number of cards from among the one or more first hole cards and the one or more first community cards to form a first hand, and the player having the first hand of a highest value declared the first winner; and

determining a second winner from among the one or more players, wherein each of the one or more players combines a predetermined number of cards from among the one or more second hole cards and the one or more second community cards to form a second hand, and the player having the second hand of a highest value declared the second winner.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined number of cards from among the one or more first hole cards and the one or more first community cards is five, and the predetermined number of cards from among the one or more second hole cards and the one or more second community cards is five.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising allowing each of the one or more players to place a bet after the one or more first hole cards are dealt and before any of the one or more first community cards are dealt.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising allowing each of the one or more players to place a bet after the one or more second hole cards are dealt and before any of the one or more second community cards are dealt.

12. A playing surface for a card game, comprising:

a first dealer position;

a second dealer position;

a plurality of player positions; and

at each of the plurality of player positions, a first designated area for receiving cards from a first dealer and a second designated area for receiving cards from a second dealer.

13. The playing surface of claim 12, wherein each of the first and second dealer positions includes an area for displaying one or more community cards.

14. The playing surface of claim 12, wherein the first dealer position and the first designated areas at each of the plurality of players positions is distinguished by a first color or design, and the second dealer position and the second designated areas at each of the plurality of player positions is distinguished by a second color or design different than the first color or design.

15. The playing surface of claim 12, wherein the first and second designated areas alternate along at least a portion of the playing surface.

16. A method of providing an electronic card game, comprising:

providing a display device, an input device, and a processing device configured to work in conjunction with the display device and the input device;

providing a computer-implemented program stored on a computer readable medium and implemented by the processing device for operating the card game, wherein the program carries out the steps of: displaying one or more first hole cards and one or more second hole cards for a player; displaying one or more first community cards associated with a first betting pool, and one or more second community cards associated with a second betting pool; allowing the player to designate a first betting amount associated with the first one or more hole cards and a second betting amount associated with the second one or more hole cards using the input device; allowing the player to designate a predetermined number of cards from among the one or more first hole cards and the one or more first community cards to form a first hand using the input device; allowing the player to designate a predetermined number of cards from among the one or more second hole cards and the one or more second community cards to form a second hand using the input device; comparing the first hand to a third hand; providing a payout of at least a portion of the first betting pool to the player if a value assigned to the first hand is greater than a value assigned to the third hand; comparing the second hand to a fourth hand; and providing a payout of at least a portion of the second betting pool to the player if a value assigned to the second hand is greater than a value assigned to the fourth hand.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing an interface that allows a plurality of players to simultaneously or individually participate in the card game.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein one or more of the plurality of players are remotely located from one or more others of the plurality of players.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein comparing the first hand to the third hand comprises comparing the first hand to a hand associated with one of the plurality of players.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein comparing the second hand to the fourth hand comprises comparing the second hand to a hand associated with one of the plurality of players.

21. A method of playing a card game by one or more players, comprising:

dealing at least one first card to each of the one or more players by a first dealer from a first deck of playing card to form a first hand, and dealing at least one second card to each of the one or more players by a second dealer from a second deck of playing cards to form a second hand such that each of the one or more players is simultaneously playing the first hand and the second hand;

determining a winner of the first hand; and

determining a winner of the second hand.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising dealing at least one additional first card to each of the one or more players, and dealing one or more additional second cards to each of the one or more players.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising allowing each of the one or more players to place a bet before or after any of the first cards are dealt.

24. A method of playing a card game by one or more players, comprising:

dealing one or more first hole cards by a first dealer from a first deck of playing cards to each of the one or more players, and dealing one or more second hole cards by a second dealer from a second deck of playing cards to each of the one or more players;

dealing at least one first community card by the first dealer from the first deck, and dealing at least one second community card by the second dealer from the second deck;

determining a first winner from among the one or more players, wherein each of the one or more players combines a predetermined number of cards from among the one or more first hole cards, the one or more first community cards, and the one or more second community cards to form a first hand, and the player having the first hand of a highest value declared the first winner; and

determining a second winner from among the one or more players, wherein each of the one or more players combines a predetermined number of cards from among the one or more second hole cards, the one or more first community cards, and the one or more second community cards to form a second hand, and the player having the second hand of a highest value declared the second winner.