Multi-Bonus Card Match Poker Game

In one embodiment, a method includes dealing a first hand of cards for a poker game. A draw input is received for a draw for the first hand of cards. The method deals one or more cards from at least one card for an additional hand during or after the draw for the first hand of cards and determines if a card in the first hand matches a card in the additional hand. If the match is determined, the method performs: determining a bonus feature and applying the bonus feature to game play of the poker game.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional App. No. 61/429,397 for “Multi-Bonus Card Match Poker Game” filed Jan. 3, 2011, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Particular embodiments generally relate to gaming systems and games.

The entertainment value of poker games continues to remain high. The gaming industry continues to look for simple and exciting methods to increase the player appeal of traditional electronic video poker games with and without the need to alter the traditional poker pay tables to players have become accustom to playing. Players continue to seek additional entertainment opportunities and efficiencies as well as a higher hit frequency and pays/bonuses for each game.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a method includes dealing a first hand of cards for a poker game. A draw input is received for a draw for the first hand of cards. The method deals one or more cards from at least one card for an additional hand during or after the draw for the first hand of cards and determines if a card in the first hand matches a card in the additional hand. If the match is determined, the method performs: determining a bonus feature and applying the bonus feature to game play of the poker game.

In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes one or more computer processors and a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable to: deal a first hand of cards for a poker game; receive a draw input for a draw for the first hand of cards; deal one or more cards from at least one card for an additional hand during or after the draw for the first hand of cards; determine if a card in the first hand matches a card in the additional hand; if the match is determined, perform: determine a bonus feature; and apply the bonus feature to game play of the poker game.

In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided containing instructions for controlling a computer system to be operable to: deal a first hand of cards for a poker game; receive a draw input for a draw for the first hand of cards; deal one or more cards from at least one card for an additional hand during or after the draw for the first hand of cards; determine if a card in the first hand matches a card in the additional hand; if the match is determined, perform: determine a bonus feature; and apply the bonus feature to game play of the poker game.

The following detailed description and accompanying drawings provide a better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a gaming device including an interface for providing a standard game and a match game according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts an example of an interface for providing a poker game according to on embodiment.

FIG. 3a shows an example of the interface before a draw of the poker game according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3b shows an example of the interface after the draw of the poker game according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts an example of a keno game according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a slot machine game according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a special purpose computer system configured with a poker game according to one embodiment.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are techniques for a match game. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous examples and specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. Particular embodiments as defined by the claims may include some or all of the features in these examples alone or in combination with other features described below, and may further include modifications and equivalents of the features and concepts described herein.

Particular embodiments provide a match game in which an additional symbol or set of symbols are provided to determine if a match occurs during game play of a game. For example, the additional symbol may be a card in a poker game, a reel symbol in a slot game, or a number in a keno game. The symbol may match other symbols being played in the game. For example, in the poker game, a card in a draw poker game may match one of the match symbols by having the same value (King of Hearts) and a card dealt for the match symbol. The additional symbol may be output at various times. For example, if a game is a single stage game (the game does not require a user decision after initiation), then the additional symbol may be output before, during, or after the initiation of the game. If the game is a multiple stage game, the additional symbol may be output after a stage is initiated where further user decisions are not required. For example, the additional symbol is output after a user selects cards to hold and draws new cards in a five card poker game. This ensures that game play is not affected by the match symbols output in the match game.

In one embodiment, an electronic video poker card game in which the player plays one or more hands of cards is provided. The player selects one or more hands of poker to be played or the gaming device may be programmed with a predetermined number of hands of poker for the player to play. The player then places a wager to play at least one hand of poker. If the player selects to play more than one hand of poker at a time, the player may be able to place a separate wager on each of the separate hands of poker played or the gaming device may be programmed to applied wagers to each of the hands of poker played in any traditional manner.

In an embodiment, the player may also be required to place at least one wager on at least one bonus feature associated with each hand of poker, the process of which will be described in more detail below. Depending on the design of the bonus features and pay tables associated with the poker games the player may be required to wager none, or one or more credits to initiate one or more of the games bonus features.

After the player places the proper wager amount and initiates play of the game, at least one hand of five cards (e.g., a first hand) is dealt by the electronic video poker game all face up and one or more cards (e.g., of an additional hand) are dealt from a separate deck of cards and displayed to the player. The one or more cards may be dealt on the same screen as the first hand or the one or more cards may be dealt on a separate screen associated/connected with the device displaying the first hand. A random or predetermined number of cards may be dealt and displayed to the player. The number of cards dealt may depend on various factors. For example, a player may be awarded cards in the additional hand for achieving certain milestones, game outcomes or bonuses.

If the number of cards dealt for the additional hand is less than the first hand of cards, the position that the cards are dealt in may also be random. The at least one card may be dealt before or after the draw of the first hand depending on the design of the game play and the game pay table. The at least one card may be dealt in any position selected by the game designer on a first or second display screen. In one embodiment, the at least one card displayed of an additional hand would be dealt directly card for card below the first hand and it is determined that at least one of the cards in the first hand causes a match of a card in the same position of the additional hand. The match may be determined based on a same card occurring in the first hand and the additional hand (e.g., a jack of hearts in the first hand matches a jack of hearts in the second hand). The match may be based on a value and suit of the card. Also, other matches may be determined, such as a wildcard may match a card (e.g., a jack of hearts in the first hand matches a wildcard in the second hand). If the match is determined, then a random or predetermined bonus feature is determined and is applied to the poker game. In an additional embodiment, if it is determined that any of the cards in a first hand match any of the one or more of the cards dealt in the additional hand (not dependent on the position of the cards), then a bonus feature is determined.

The bonus feature may be used for any predetermined or random bonus feature that may be programmed into the game. In an embodiment, the player may even be able to select which bonus feature or combination of bonus features the player wishes to play for, such as a wild card, multiplier, instant win, free game, extra-draw, extra-card, etc. If it is determined that there is more than one matching cards in the first and additional hand, the bonus feature determined for each of the matching cards may be the same, different or any combination of.

FIG. 1 depicts an example of a gaming device 100 including an interface 101 for providing a standard game 110 and a match game 112 according to one embodiment. Standard game 110 may include various games of chance, such as video poker, keno, and slot machine games. Other games may also be provided. Standard game 110 may be played by a user using an input device 114. During play of standard game 110, various game symbols may be received, such as poker cards, keno numbers, slot symbols, etc.

During the play of standard game 110, interface 101 outputs symbols for match game 112. The symbols for match game 112 include at least a subset of symbols are used in the game play of standard game 110. For example, match game 112 may include a second deck of cards if a first deck of cards is being used in standard game 110. A limited set of cards may also be used. Also, at least a subset of reel symbols used in a slot machine game may also be used. The symbols for match game 112 are used to determine a bonus feature for standard game 110 that enhances the game play of standard game 110. For example, if one of the symbols in match game 112 matches a symbol received in standard game 110, then a bonus feature is triggered. Different bonuses may be provided, such as multipliers, wild cards, monetary bonuses, etc.

Standard game 110 may be played in different stages. For example, at each stage, a user input may be required to proceed to the next stage. In a video poker game, a first hand is dealt. Input device 114 receives hold selections from a user, and then replaces discarded cards in a second stage of the game. In a slot machine or keno game, only one stage may be played. That is, after initiation, the game is completed in one stage without requiring the user to input a decision for game play.

The number of stages included in standard game 110 may cause symbols for match game 112 to be output at different times. In one embodiment, gaming device 100 outputs symbols for match game 112 so that game play during standard game 110 is not affected. For example, the user decisions required after initiating game play should not be affected by symbols output by match game 112. In a video poker game, a first stage of the game deals a first set of cards to a user. Then, a user decides which cards to hold and draws new cards. A second stage of the game starts and after beginning this stage, no more user decisions are required. Symbols for match game 112 may then be output during or after the beginning of the second stage. In a slot or keno game, after initiating game play, user decisions that would be affected by symbols of match game 112 are not required and thus symbols for match game 112 can be output at any time before, during, or after stage one. Accordingly, symbols for match game 112 may be output at a time when the symbols would not affect game plays or user decisions in standard game 110.

FIG. 2 shows a poker game according to on embodiment. For example, in standard game 110, a first hand 102 is dealt of: the 1st card dealt is a Five of hearts, the 2nd card is a Queen of hearts the 3rd card is a 4 of clubs, the 4th card is a 7 of hearts and the 5th card is a Queen of spades. In match game 112, an additional hand 104 is dealt of: the 1st card dealt is a Five of hearts, the 2nd card is a Queen of hearts the 3rd card is a 4 of clubs, the 4th card is a 9 of hearts and the 5th card is a Queen of spades. The following shows the cards dealt for first hand (FH) and additional hand (AH) 104:

FH: Five of hearts, Queen of hearts, 4 of clubs, 7 of hearts, Queen of spades

AH: Five of hearts, Queen of hearts, 4 of clubs, 9 of hearts, Queen of spades

The above occurs after the draw of first hand 102. For example, a user received a set of cards in the first stage of the poker game, selected cards to hold, and then received new cards to form first hand 102. Then, additional hand 104 is dealt after the draw.

It is determined that the 1st card, 2nd card, 3rd card and the 5th card of first hand 102 match the cards in additional hand 104 so they may now be used as bonus features. In an embodiment, it is determined that the second and third cards may be used as a first bonus type. For example, the first bonus type to be determined may convert a card to a Wild Card. In this example, the 2nd card and the third card may become Wild Cards providing the player with the opportunity to receive a four of a kind if the player holds all the cards except the 4th card and selects draw. In the same embodiment, it is determined that the two queens are matching also so they may also be used as a second bonus type. The second bonus type to be determined may be used because if the first bonus type is used again it may not provide a benefit to the play of the player. For example, the player may want to keep both Queens because they are matching. Thus, converting the Queens into Wild Cards may not be beneficial. Certain game rules may be applied to determine when to award the different bonus types. The second bonus type may be another bonus feature, such as multipliers. After the draw the player may receive a four of a kind and a 2× multiplier for the matching two queens.

In another embodiment using the same first hand and additional hand above, the bonus features may all be of the same type, such as just Wild Cards. In this embodiment, the player may hold the same four cards and receive a Queen of clubs on the draw and the winning hand would be a five of a kind.

In another embodiment, the additional hand of five cards may also be dealt after the draw. FIG. 3a shows an example of interface 101 before the draw according to one embodiment. The same five cards dealt above, e.g., the Five of hearts, Queen of hearts, 4 of clubs, 7 of hearts and the Queen of spades, are dealt for first hand 102. Cards for additional hand 104 are left blank.

In one example, the player typically would hold the two queens and select draw. After selecting draw, new cards are dealt for first hand 102 and additional hand 104 is dealt. FIG. 3b shows an example of interface 100 after the draw according to one embodiment. The player receives the 7 of clubs, 8 of clubs and the Queen of clubs in first hand 102 and receives the Five of hearts, Queen of hearts, 4 of clubs, 9 of hearts and Queen of spades in the additional hand 104.

First hand 102 and additional hand 104 after the draw are as follows:

FH: 7 of clubs—Queen of hearts—8 of clubs—Queen of clubs—Queen of spades

AH: Five of hearts—Queen of hearts—8 of clubs—9 of hearts—Queen of spades

In this example, there are three matching cards from the first and second hands of the Queen of hearts, 8 of clubs, and the Queen of spades. In one embodiment, if the game was designed with two types of bonus features, such as Wild Cards and Multipliers, the 8 of clubs would be used as a wild and changed to the Queen of diamonds. The two matching Queens (the 2th and 5th cards) would be used as Multipliers making the winning combination times a multiplier, such as 2×.

In another embodiment, the player selects to play at least on hand of poker. The player then may be required to bet the proper wager to play each hand of poker selected and bet the proper wager for the bonus feature. After the player places the proper wager amount and initiates play of the game, at least one hand of five cards (e.g., a first hand) is dealt by the electronic video poker game all face up. The player may select one or more of the face up cards from the first hand as cards to be held or the player may select not to hold any cards. After the player decides to either hold or not to hold the cards, the player selects draw.

After the draw of the first hand is initialized and replacement cards for the non-selected cards are dealt into the first hand, one or more cards (e.g., of an additional hand) are dealt from a separate deck of cards and displayed to the player. The one or more cards may be dealt on the same screen as the first hand or may be dealt on a separate screen associated/connected with the device displaying the first hand.

In this embodiment the at least one card from an additional deck of cards maybe dealt during or after the draw of the first hand depending on the design of the game play. The at least one card may be dealt in any position on a first or second display screen selected by the game designer.

If it is determined that at least one of the cards dealt from the additional hand match at least one of the cards in the first hand of cards after the draw, then a random or predetermined bonus feature is determined and is applied to the poker game. In bonus award may vary depending on the number of matches in each hand played or even the combination of match in two or more hands played.

Although a poker game is described, particular embodiments may use other games, such as Keno and slot machine games. FIG. 4 depicts an example of a keno game according to one embodiment. Interface 101 displays a keno game as standard game 110. Keno displays a set of numbers 402 where 20 numbers are selected. A user can select a set of numbers and if a certain amount of those numbers are in the 20 selected numbers, a prize is won.

Match game 112 may display a set of match numbers after game play is initiated. When a match number matches a keno game number in the keno game, a bonus may be awarded. For example, if the user had not selected this matched keno game number, then the match number may become an additional match for the user. Also, if the user had selected the matched keno game number, the matched keno game number may become another match or a wild to match another of the user's numbers. The match may also cause a multiplier to be awarded. For example, if the user had selected the matched keno game number, then a multiplier is awarded.

FIG. 5 depicts an example of a slot machine game according to one embodiment. Interface 101 displays the slot machine game as standard game 110. The slot machine game may display symbols on reels 504-1-504-3. Any number of reels may be provided. Depending on the combination of symbols, a user may win a prize.

Match game 112 may display a set of symbols 506. Symbols 506 may be another set of reels (electronic or physical). Symbols 506 may be displayed after game play is initiated. When symbol 506 matches a symbol received on reels 504-1-504-3, a bonus may be awarded. For example, one match of symbol 506 may cause a bonus to be awarded. The match may also be related to position. For example, if match game 112 includes a same number of reels as standard game 110, then a symbol in match game 112 must match and be in the same position reel.

In one embodiment, when a match occurs, the symbol that is matched becomes “wild” in the game. Thus, the symbol may be any symbol that can be used to create a winning combination. The symbol that is induced to be wild is not normally wild in the slot game. For example, without the match, the symbol would be used by the game as its normal value (e.g., a bar symbol is a bar symbol). However, when a match occurs, the game needs to convert the matched symbol to a wild and evaluate the received symbols for a winning combination taking into account the induced wild symbol. The gaming machine may override the symbol's value and cause it to be wild. Then, the combination of symbol values are evaluated for a winning combination. An award is then output based on the induced wild.

Having the induced wild may change the probabilities of winning for a user. For example, odds of receiving a match in addition to receiving a winning combination are taken into account. Traditionally, just the odds of receiving a winning combination of a set number of symbols are used to determine the probabilities of winning However, a second probability of obtaining a match is introduced that changes the probabilities of receiving a winning combination.

In a further embodiment for use in various games described, a player receives a match from a primary game and one or more symbols that are used in order to create the match bonus. When a player receives a matching outcome the wild symbol, bonus, multipliers, etc. may be applied to the next game. This is an added benefit to the game and operator of any game using this feature by providing a reason for the player to continue playing the game. For example, if the player receives a match that provides the player with a multiplier or a wild card, that multiplier or wild card can be applied to the next game. This provides an incentive for the player to play again. Also, based on the number of matched symbols a player receives at the end of the primary game may also determine the number of games the bonus feature (e.g., free play, extra spins, bonus credits, wild symbols, multiplier to be applied to winning outcomes, etc.) are applied to. For example, if the player receives two matches, the players gets X number of wild symbols for the next two games.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a special purpose computer system 600 configured with a match game according to one embodiment. Particular embodiments may be played through a gaming device in a gaming establishment, through Internet gaming, a networked or wireless computer based system, or through other methods.

Computer system 600 includes a bus 602, network interface 604, a computer processor 606, a memory 608, a storage device 610, and a display 612. Bus 602 may be a communication mechanism for communicating information. Computer processor 604 may execute computer programs stored in memory 608 or storage device 608. Any suitable programming language can be used to implement the routines of particular embodiments including C, C++, Java, assembly language, etc. Different programming techniques can be employed such as procedural or object oriented. The routines can execute on a single computer system 600 or multiple computer systems 600. Further, multiple processors 606 may be used.

Memory 608 may store instructions, such as source code or binary code, for performing the techniques described above. Memory 608 may also be used for storing variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by processor 606. Examples of memory 608 include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or both.

Storage device 610 may also store instructions, such as source code or binary code, for performing the techniques described above. Storage device 610 may additionally store data used and manipulated by computer processor 606. For example, storage device 610 may be a database that is accessed by computer system 600. Other examples of storage device 610 include random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), a hard drive, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a CD-ROM, a DVD, a flash memory, a USB memory card, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

Memory 608 or storage device 610 may be an example of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for use by or in connection with computer system 600. The computer-readable storage medium contains instructions for controlling a computer system to be operable to perform functions described by particular embodiments. The instructions, when executed by one or more computer processors, may be operable to perform that which is described in particular embodiments.

Computer system 600 includes a display 612 for displaying information to a computer user. Display 612 may display a user interface used by a user to interact with computer system 600.

Computer system 600 also includes a network interface 604 to provide data communication connection over a network, such as a local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN). Wireless networks may also be used. In any such implementation, network interface 604 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

Computer system 600 can send and receive information through network interface 604 across a network 614, which may be an Intranet or the Internet. Computer system 600 may interact with other computer systems 600 through network 614. In some examples, client-server communications occur through network 614. Also, implementations of particular embodiments may be distributed across computer systems 600 through network 614.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The above description illustrates various embodiments of the present invention along with examples of how aspects of the present invention may be implemented. The above examples and embodiments should not be deemed to be the only embodiments, and are presented to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of the present invention as defined by the following claims. Based on the above disclosure and the following claims, other arrangements, embodiments, implementations and equivalents may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

dealing a first hand of cards for a poker game;
receiving a draw input for a draw for the first hand of cards;
dealing one or more cards from at least one card for an additional hand during or after the draw for the first hand of cards;
determining if a card in the first hand matches a card in the additional hand;
if the match is determined, performing: determining a bonus feature; and applying the bonus feature to game play of the poker game.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a selection of cards to hold in the first hand;
dealing new cards for cards not held to form a new first hand; and
applying the bonus feature to the new first hand.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional hand is dealt from a separate deck of cards from a deck of cards used to deal the first hand and the draw for the first hand.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

receiving a selection of cards to hold in the first hand;
dealing new cards for cards not held to form a new first hand;
dealing the additional hand after receiving the selection; and
applying the bonus feature to the new first hand based on the additional hand.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the bonus feature comprises:

determining a first bonus feature type based on a first match of a first card in the first hand and the additional hand; and
determining a second bonus feature type based on a second match of a second card in the first hand and the additional hand.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein applying comprises:

applying the first bonus feature type and the second bonus feature type to the first hand.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the bonus feature applies a multiplier to an award received for the poker game.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the bonus feature causes a card in the poker game to become wild in the poker game.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying the bonus feature to a next game play of the poker game rather than applying the bonus feature to the game play of the poker game in which the match is determined.

10. An apparatus comprising:

one or more computer processors; and
a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable to: deal a first hand of cards for a poker game; receive a draw input for a draw for the first hand of cards; deal one or more cards from at least one card for an additional hand during or after the draw for the first hand of cards; determine if a card in the first hand matches a card in the additional hand; if the match is determined, perform: determine a bonus feature; and apply the bonus feature to game play of the poker game.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further operable to:

receive a selection of cards to hold in the first hand;
deal new cards for cards not held to form a new first hand; and
apply the bonus feature to the new first hand.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the additional hand is dealt from a separate deck of cards from a deck of cards used to deal the first hand and the draw for the first hand.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further operable to:

receive a selection of cards to hold in the first hand;
deal new cards for cards not held to form a new first hand;
deal the additional hand after receiving the selection; and
apply the bonus feature to the new first hand based on the additional hand.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein determine the bonus feature comprises:

determine a first bonus feature type based on a first match of a first card in the first hand and the additional hand; and
determine a second bonus feature type based on a second match of a second card in the first hand and the additional hand.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein apply comprises:

apply the first bonus feature type and the second bonus feature type to the first hand.

16. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the bonus feature applies a multiplier to an award received for the poker game.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the bonus feature causes a card in the poker game to become wild in the poker game.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to be operable to:

deal a first hand of cards for a poker game;
receive a draw input for a draw for the first hand of cards;
deal one or more cards from at least one card for an additional hand during or after the draw for the first hand of cards;
determine if a card in the first hand matches a card in the additional hand;
if the match is determined, perform: determine a bonus feature; and apply the bonus feature to game play of the poker game.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, further operable to:

receive a selection of cards to hold in the first hand;
deal new cards for cards not held to form a new first hand; and
apply the bonus feature to the new first hand.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 18, wherein the additional hand is dealt from a separate deck of cards from a deck of cards used to deal the first hand and the draw for the first hand.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120172111
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 3, 2012
Publication Date: Jul 5, 2012
Applicant: LEAP FORWARD GAMING, INC. (Reno, NV)
Inventors: Tyler Thomas Parham (Reno, NV), Ali Saffari (Reno, NV), Kirk Frederick Korver (Reno, NV)
Application Number: 13/342,811
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Lot Generator (e.g., Card Distribution, Simulated Dice, Random Number Generator, Etc.) (463/22); Card Or Tile Games, Cards Or Tiles Therefor (273/292)
International Classification: A63F 9/24 (20060101); A63F 1/00 (20060101);