POKER-BASED WAGERING GAME FOR MULTIPLE PLAYERS

Systems, methods and apparatus for providing, operating, hosting and conducting wagering games for at least two participating players including distributing randomly generated playing cards to form a partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of the participating players, providing a community group of at least three playing cards, conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least three of the playing cards in the community group are known to the participating players, determining the winner of the game as one of either the participating player remaining if no other players continue as participating players in the game or the participating player achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the participating players, transferring a portion of the wagers received to a game host, and transferring the remaining portion of the wagers received to the determined winner.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/454,912 which was filed Mar. 21, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/473,113 which was filed Apr. 7, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to systems and methods of providing, hosting, conducting and modifying wagering games, and in particular, the invention relates to a modified poker game, played with one or more conventional decks of 52 playing cards.

2. Description of the Related Art

Poker has enjoyed an increase in popularity in recent years, and a variety of modified poker games have arisen to provide players with desired levels of action, complexity, and ease of play.

Texas Hold'em is a very popular variety of community card poker. In Texas Hold'em, each player receives two pocket cards. A round of betting occurs after the pocket cards are dealt, followed by the display of three community cards, called the “flop.” A second round of betting occurs, followed by the display of a fourth community card, called the “turn,” or “fourth street.” A third round of betting then occurs, followed by the display of a fifth community card, called the “river” or “fifth street.” A final round of betting occurs, after which the players determine the winner, in a process called the “showdown.” The winner is the player among the players remaining in the game who has the highest ranked hand formed from any of the player's pocket cards and the community cards. The winner receives all the accumulated bets in the pot. Since there are two pocket cards available to each player, and only five community cards, it is likely that the highest ranked hand will utilize pocket cards, and the chances for a tie hand are relatively less than in a game with fewer pocket cards and more community cards. Additionally, since a full hand of five cards is available after the first round of betting, players will be likely to fold if they fail to make a ranked hand when the first three community cards are dealt.

Poker games involving players competing against one another, such as Texas Hold'em, are often played in casinos in designated “poker rooms.” The casino typically allows players to play without charge, and often makes money by taking a cut of the pot, called the “rake.” The rake can be taken on a timed basis, but is often taken as a percentage of the pot at the end of each hand.

Some poker-based games have been modified to be “casino games” in which players do not compete against one another but rather compete against the house, that is, a dealer hand or otherwise place wagers on whether an outcome will be achieved based on the cards that the dealer deals to form the player's respective hand.

Players seek new and interesting wagering games to play, whether online or at a casino, while casino operators, both physical and virtual, wish to attract players to their establishments or websites by providing players with opportunities to play new and interesting wagering games. Accordingly, there is continual interest in new and interesting wagering games.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally directed to systems, methods and apparatus for providing, operating, hosting and conducting wagering games for at least two participating players including distributing randomly generated playing cards to form a partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of the participating players, providing a community group of at least three playing cards, conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least three of the playing cards in the community group are known to the participating players, determining the winner of the game as one of either the participating player remaining if no other players continue as participating players in the game or the participating player achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the participating players, transferring a portion of the wagers received to a game host, and transferring the remaining portion of the wagers received to the determined winner.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a method of hosting a wagering game for at least two participating players at a gaming table, comprising the steps of: providing a set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards; receiving an ante wager from each of the participating players; distributing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards to form a partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of the participating players, wherein the cards are distributed face down so that each participating player is unable to view the partial hands distributed to any other participating players; providing a community group of at least three playing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards, wherein the cards in the community group are provided face down so that the values of the playing cards remain unknown to the participating players; conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least three of the playing cards in the community group are known to the participating players, the wagering events including revealing the value of a playing card from the community group, and providing an opportunity for each participating player to enter an optional wager, wherein upon receiving the optional wager from any of the participating players, the wager becomes mandatory requiring receiving matching wagers from all participating players thereafter to continue as participating player in the game and to prevent forfeiting all of the player's respective prior wagers; determining the winner of the game as one of either the participating player remaining if no other players continue as participating players in the game or the participating player achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the participating players, wherein each of the participating player's final hands are formed from the cards in the participating player's partial hand and the at least three known community cards; transferring a portion of the wagers received for a game host; and transferring the remaining portion of the wagers received to the determined winner of the game.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned method further comprises distributing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards to form a partial hand of five playing cards for each of the participating players.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned method further comprises providing a community group of five playing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned method further comprises the step of discarding two cards.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned method further comprises conducting three wagering events until the values of three of the playing cards in the community group are known to the participating players.

In some embodiments, each of the wagering events include revealing the value of a single playing card from the community group.

In some embodiments, the aforementioned method further comprises the step of conducting an initial wagering event subsequent to the step of distributing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards to form a partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of the participating players and prior to revealing the value of a playing card from the community group.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a computer-facilitated method of operating a wagering game for at least two participating players, comprising the steps of: receiving an ante wager from each of the participating players using a player interface; randomly generating virtual playing cards to form a partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of the participating players, wherein the cards in each of the partial hands are viewable only at the respective player interfaces of the participating players associated with the partial hands; providing a randomly generated community group of at least three virtual playing cards, wherein the values of the playing cards in the community group are not displayed to the participating players; conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least three of the playing cards in the community group are displayed to the participating players, the wagering events including displaying the value of a playing card from the community group, and providing an opportunity for each participating player to enter an optional wager, wherein upon receiving the optional wager from any of the participating players, the wager becomes mandatory requiring receiving matching wagers from all participating players thereafter to continue as participating player in the game and to prevent forfeiting all of the player's respective prior wagers; determining the winner of the game as one of either the participating player remaining if no other players continue as participating players in the game or the participating player achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the participating players, wherein each of the participating player's final hands are formed from the cards in the participating player's partial hand and the at least three known community cards; transferring a portion of the wagers received to a game host; and transferring the remaining portion of the wagers received to the determined winner of the game.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned computer-facilitated method, the partial hand includes five playing cards for each of the participating players.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned computer-facilitated method, the community group includes three virtual playing cards.

In some embodiments of the aforementioned computer-facilitated method, each of the wagering events include displaying the value of a single playing card from the community group.

Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a system for providing a wagering game associated with the underlying game of Blackjack, comprising: means for randomly generating playing cards to form partial hands of at least four cards for each participating player and a community group of at least three playing cards; a processor configured for (i) conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least three of the playing cards in the community group are revealed to the participating players, the wagering events including revealing the value of a playing card from the community group, and providing an opportunity for each participating player to enter an optional wager, wherein upon receiving the optional wager from any of the participating players, the wager becomes mandatory requiring receiving matching wagers from all participating players thereafter to continue as participating player in the game and to prevent forfeiting all of the player's respective prior wagers; (ii) determining the winner of the game as one of either the participating player remaining if no other players continue as participating players in the game or the participating player achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the participating players, wherein each of the participating player's final hands are formed from the cards in the participating player's partial hand and the at least three known community cards; and a communication device configured for: (i) transmitting the values of playing cards revealed in the game to participating players; and (ii) facilitating the transfer of a portion of the wagers received to the determined winner of the game.

Depending on the embodiment of the invention, for randomly generating playing cards to form partial hands of at least four cards for each participating player and a community group of at least three playing cards may be a processor, random number generator, software, physical playing cards, a shuffling device, or involve combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the communication device may be a data input and/or data output device or a remote computer terminal, such as a home computer or mobile device with access to local or global network. The system and communication device may be configured for providing the associated wagering game to players via an online system or the Internet. The processor may also be remotely located from the communication device.

In some embodiments, the system further includes a display device in communication with the communication device and configured for displaying the values of playing cards revealed in the game. The communication device, processor and display device may be mounted within a unitary housing, and the aforementioned system may be an electronic gaming machine or electronic platform including multiple data input devices providing player positions.

Some embodiments of the invention are also directed to a machine readable media for providing a wagering game that includes code and/or data segments as necessary to provide and enable any of the methods described herein on hardware or any one or more gaming machines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a process flow chart depicting an exemplary embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of exemplary system components configured for use with methods according to some embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments herein relate to wagering games. It should be understood that each of the methods and individual steps recited herein may be partially or wholly carried out in a variety of ways and/or systems, which may include, but are not limited to, a live dealer physically dealing playing cards in a casino, an electronic gaming machine (EGM) or kiosk for one or more players in which a live dealer deals randomly ordered cards or random virtual cards are provided through a program which may include a random number generator, standalone multiplayer platforms which may include a player interface such as a touchscreen display and a physical or virtual playing cards, through a home computer or portable computing device, such as a tablet computer or mobile phone capable of communicating with a network or over the Internet, global telecommunication network or world wide web.

FIG. 1 provides an embodiment of a method of providing, operating, hosting and/or conducting a wagering game generally referred to by the reference numeral 10.

In step 12, an ante wager is received from each participating player relating to the wagering game of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the ante wager is mandatory. However, in other embodiments, the ante wager placed in step 12 may be optional or an ante wager may only be required of some participating players, such as the “big blind” and “small blind” ante wagers often used in Texas Hold'em.

In step 14, randomly generated playing cards are distributed to form partial hands for each participating player. As mentioned above, the playing cards may be randomly generated via dealing from one or more randomly ordered decks of playing cards, via a shuffling device or virtually by cards randomly generated via a random number generator, depending on the embodiment of the invention. The initial hand may include at least three cards, with either all, none or some of the cards being viewable to all players. In this embodiment the initial hand for each participating player is composed of five cards which are dealt face down so that the cards are only viewable to the respective participating player associated with the partial hand.

In step 16, randomly generated playing cards are provided to form a community group of cards of unknown value. The community group of cards may include at least two cards, the values of which are not immediately made viewable to the participating players. In this embodiment, the community group of cards is five cards, with two cards being discarded, leaving three cards to be revealed. It should be readily apparent that the provision of cards for the community group may be completed simultaneously or staggered so that each card forming the community group is provided successively as needed, while still ultimately providing the same amount of cards for the community group.

As shown by step 18, a plurality of wagering events are conducted until at least three cards in the community group are revealed. Each wagering event may include revealing the value of one or more playing cards from the community group and then providing an opportunity for each participating player to enter an optional wager. In this embodiment a single card is revealed during each wagering event. If an optional wager is received by a participating player, then that optional wager becomes a mandatory wager, and at least a matching wager must be received from any of the remaining participating players. If in addition to matching the wager, a participating player submits a raise, it will be considered in the same manner as the optional wager described herein, in that the raise or optional wager becomes a mandatory wager to all other participating players. If a mandatory wager is not received from a participating player, that participating player will no longer be a participating player in the game and forfeit any wagers placed during a wagering event and the ante wager received in step 12. The wagering events of step 18 therefore allow each participating player to place a check (i.e., place no wager), wager, call (i.e., match a prior wager), raise (i.e., match a prior wager and then place another wager) or forfeit.

In step 20, the winner of the game is determined as one of either the participating player remaining, if no other players continue as participating players in the game, or the participating player achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the participating players. In this embodiment, each of the participating player's final hands are formed from all of the cards in the participating player's partial hand and the at least three known community cards.

In other embodiments, the final hands may constitute a portion of the cards in the partial hand and a portion of the cards in the community group as selected by the player to form the highest ranked poker hand possible. Alternatively, the final hands may constitute all of the cards in the partial hand and a portion of the cards in the community group as selected by the player to form the highest ranked poker hand possible, or the final hands may constitute a portion of the cards in the partial hand and all of the cards in the community group as selected by the player to form the highest ranked poker hand possible.

In step 22, a portion of the wagers received are transferred to a game host. The portion transferred may be a preset amount provided by the participating players or taken from all of the wagers received in the game, including the ante wager and any wagers placed during wagering events. Alternatively, the portion transferred may be a set percentage of all of the wagers received.

In step 24, the remaining portion of all of the wagers received is transferred to the participating player determined to be the winner of the game.

An exemplary embodiment based on the method 10 and configured in accordance with the invention includes the steps of providing a “pre-flop” event consisting of receiving an ante wager and dealing five face-down hole cards for each participating player; a “flop” event consisting of dealing one face up card as a community card; a “turn” event consisting of dealing one face up card as a community card; a “river” event consisting of dealing one face up card as a community card; wherein each of the flop, turn and river events further involve an opportunity for each player to wager, call, raise or forfeit the game; determining the winner of the game, wherein the winner is either the player with the highest poker rank achieved from the player's hole cards and the three community cards or the player that has not forfeited the game during a wagering round; and transferring at least a portion of the wagers received to the determined winner.

In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a casino game version in which the player competes against a house or dealer hand. In this embodiment, the player must place a first or ante wager in order to participate in the game. Randomly generated cards are dealt to form partial hands for each participating player and the dealer. The player views the partial hand and may optionally place a second wager which is received by the house.

In some embodiments, the second wager is required, in that the player forfeits the game if the second wager is not placed. In other embodiments, the player may stay in the game but not place the second wager. In some embodiments, the second wager may be equal or a multiple of the first wager.

Randomly generated cards are then provided to form a group of community cards, which may differ or be equal in number to the amount of cards in the partial hand. Each player's final hand is formed from their respective partial hand and the group of community cards. Thus, the rank of each player's final hand is the highest poker rank possible from the cards in their respective partial hand and the group of community cards. Likewise, the dealer's final hand is formed from the dealer's partial hand and the group of community cards, and the highest rank possible from those cards is compared with the player's final hand. When the dealer's final hand outranks the player's final hand, the player loses any wagers placed. When the player's final hand outranks the dealer's final hand, the player wins the game. In some embodiments, winning players are awarded an amount equal to the first and the second wager combined.

In some embodiments of the casino game version, the dealer must qualify with a particular final hand rank in order for the game to continue. For example, in one embodiment, when the dealer's final hand rank is less than a preset hand rank, the player will lose all or a portion of the first and/or second wagers. In other embodiments, when the dealer's final hand rank is less than a preset rank, the player and dealer push, that is, the player receives their first and/or second wager back without a loss or award.

In some embodiments of the casino game version, the partial hand and group of community cards equal a preset number of total cards, such as eight cards. For example, the partial hand may be four cards and the community cards may be four cards, or the partial hand may be five cards and the group of community cards consists of three cards.

In some embodiments of the casino game version, the partial hand and group of community cards equal a preset total amount of cards, with the partial hand and group of community cards having the same number of cards each, but a portion of the group of community cards are discarded to equal the preset total amount of cards. For example, if the preset total amount of cards is eight, and the partial hand size is five cards, then five cards will be dealt to form the group of community cards but two of those cards will be discarded or burned. In some embodiments, the two cards are used in connection with a side wager. In some embodiments, the cards are discarded randomly, while in other embodiments, the first cards dealt are discarded or the cards are discarded based on their rank or number.

In some embodiments of the casino game version, the group of community cards are not revealed all at once. In some embodiments a first portion of the group of community cards is revealed and players may then place the second wager. Additional or the remaining portion of cards may then be revealed and more wagers placed or the game outcome determined.

In some embodiments of the casino game version, players may place a side wager that their final hand will achieve at least a preset ranking. The award for the side wager if won may be set forth in an odds-based paytable listing ranks and corresponding payout amounts, which may be expressed as a multiple of the side wager, or through a standard progressive meter which accumulates through an increment from each side wager. In some embodiments, players may place a side wager that their partial hand, the dealer's hand or the group of community cards, either all or only the non-discarded community cards, will achieve at least a preset ranking. In such embodiments, the award for the side wager if won may also be set forth in an odds-based paytable listing poker ranks and corresponding payout amounts, which may be expressed as a multiple of the side wager, or through a progressive meter. In some embodiments, placing a side wager is mandatory.

In some embodiments of the casino game version, the invention is directed to a method of conducting a poker-based game comprising the steps of: receiving a first wager from each player; dealing each participating player and the dealer a partial hand; dealing a group of community cards; discarding a portion of the group of community cards; revealing a portion less than all of the remaining community cards to the players; receiving a second wager from the players, wherein any player not placing the second wager forfeits the game; revealing the remaining community cards to the players; determining each player's final hand rank based on the cards in the player's partial hand and community cards; determining the dealer's final hand rank based on the dealer's partial hand and community cards; and paying the player an award if the player's final hand outranks the dealer's final hand.

In some embodiments of the casino game version, the invention is directed to a method of conducting a poker-based game comprising the steps of: receiving a first wager from each player; dealing each participating player and the dealer a partial hand of five cards; receiving a second wager from the players, wherein any player not placing the second wager forfeits the game; dealing a group of five community cards; discarding two cards of the group of five community cards; revealing one or more, or all of the remaining community cards to the players; receiving a third wager from the players, wherein placing the third wager is optional; revealing the remaining community cards if any to the players; determining each player's final hand rank based on the cards in the player's partial hand and community cards; determining the dealer's final hand rank based on the dealer's partial hand and community cards; and paying the player an award if the player's final hand outranks the dealer's final hand.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary system 50 constructed in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. System 50 includes processing device 68 in communication with a database or memory device 70, communication or data input/output device 72 and a display device 74. In some embodiments, display device 74 is a touch-enabled device and includes a data input device component. Display device 74 may also display virtual representations of cards, chips, a felt gaming table and/or dealers and players. Memory device 70 may include data relating to embodiments of the invention as described herein. A player position 76 is displayed on display device 74 along with virtual representation of a layout and wagering area 78 for transmitting wagers in accordance with any of the embodiments herein, such as method 10. Game outcomes are displayed and wagers are tracked using display device 74 and processing device 68. Processing device 68 compares the hands and determined the winner. Game information and wagers transferred via device 72, or indicated on display device 74, or both. System 50 may be incorporated in a gaming machine housing or in a multiple player platform.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the methods described herein may be incorporated in a system in accordance with the invention using virtual representations of Blackjack table layouts. The system of the invention may include various computer and network related software and hardware, such as programs, operating systems, memory storage devices, data input/output devices, data processors, servers with links to data communication systems, wireless or otherwise, and data transceiving terminals, and may be a standalone device or incorporated in another platform, such as a mobile device. The system of the invention may be provided on electronic platforms with multiple player positions. In addition, the system of the invention may be provided at least in part on a personal computing device, such as home computer, laptop or mobile computing device through an online communication connection or connection with the Internet. Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the precise types of software and hardware used are not vital to the full implementation of the methods of the invention so long as players and operators thereof are provided with useful access thereto or the opportunity to play the game as described herein.

While exemplary systems and methods, and applications of methods of the invention, have been described herein, it should also be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of a few particular embodiments with exemplary and/or preferred features, as well as principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the described embodiments should not be considered as limiting of the scope of the invention in any way. Accordingly, the invention embraces alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A method of hosting a wagering game for at least two participating players at a gaming table, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards;
receiving an ante wager from each of the participating players;
distributing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards to form a partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of the participating players, wherein the cards are distributed face down so that each participating player is unable to view the partial hands distributed to any other participating players;
providing a community group of at least three playing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards, wherein the cards in the community group are provided face down so that the values of the playing cards remain unknown to the participating players;
conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least three of the playing cards in the community group are known to the participating players, the wagering events including revealing the value of a playing card from the community group, and providing an opportunity for each participating player to enter an optional wager, wherein upon receiving the optional wager from any of the participating players, the wager becomes mandatory requiring receiving matching wagers from all participating players thereafter to continue as participating player in the game and to prevent forfeiting all of the player's respective prior wagers;
determining the winner of the game as one of either the participating player remaining if no other players continue as participating players in the game or the participating player achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the participating players, wherein each of the participating player's final hands are formed from the cards in the participating player's partial hand and the at least three known community cards;
transferring a portion of the wagers received to a game host; and
transferring the remaining portion of the wagers received to the determined winner of the game.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of distributing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards to form a partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of the participating players further comprises distributing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards to form a partial hand of five playing cards for each of the participating players.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of providing a community group of at least three playing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards further comprises providing a community group of five playing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of discarding two cards.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least three of the playing cards in the community group are known to the participating players further comprises conducting three wagering events until the values of three of the playing cards in the community group are known to the participating players.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the wagering events include revealing the value of a single playing card from the community group.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of conducting an initial wagering event subsequent to the step of distributing cards from the set of randomly-ordered physical playing cards to form a partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of the participating players and prior to revealing the value of a playing card from the community group.

8. A computer-facilitated method of operating a wagering game for at least two participating players, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an ante wager from each of the participating players using a player interface;
randomly generating virtual playing cards to form a partial hand of at least four playing cards for each of the participating players, wherein the cards in each of the partial hands are viewable only at the respective player interfaces of the participating players associated with the partial hands;
providing a randomly generated community group of at least three virtual playing cards, wherein the values of the playing cards in the community group are not displayed to the participating players;
conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least three of the playing cards in the community group are displayed to the participating players, the wagering events including displaying the value of a playing card from the community group, and providing an opportunity for each participating player to enter an optional wager, wherein upon receiving the optional wager from any of the participating players, the wager becomes mandatory requiring receiving matching wagers from all participating players thereafter to continue as participating player in the game and to prevent forfeiting all of the player's respective prior wagers;
determining the winner of the game as one of either the participating player remaining if no other players continue as participating players in the game or the participating player achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the participating players, wherein each of the participating player's final hands are formed from the cards in the participating player's partial hand and the at least three known community cards;
transferring a portion of the wagers received to a game host; and
transferring the remaining portion of the wagers received to the determined winner of the game.

9. A computer-facilitated method according to claim 8, wherein the partial hand includes five playing cards for each of the participating players.

10. A computer-facilitated method according to claim 8, wherein the community group includes three virtual playing cards.

11. A computer-facilitated method according to claim 8, wherein each of the wagering events include displaying the value of a single playing card from the community group.

12. A system for providing a wagering game associated with the underlying game of Blackjack, comprising:

a) means for randomly generating playing cards to form partial hands of at least four cards for each participating player and a community group of at least three playing cards;
b) a processor configured for: (i) conducting one or more wagering events until the values of at least three of the playing cards in the community group are revealed to the participating players, the wagering events including revealing the value of a playing card from the community group, and providing an opportunity for each participating player to enter an optional wager, wherein upon receiving the optional wager from any of the participating players, the wager becomes mandatory requiring receiving matching wagers from all participating players thereafter to continue as participating player in the game and to prevent forfeiting all of the player's respective prior wagers; (ii) determining the winner of the game as one of either the participating player remaining if no other players continue as participating players in the game or the participating player achieving a final hand of the highest poker rank when compared with the final hands of the participating players, wherein each of the participating player's final hands are formed from the cards in the participating player's partial hand and the at least three known community cards;
c) a communication device configured for: (i) transmitting the values of playing cards revealed in the game to participating players; and (ii) facilitating the transfer of a portion of the wagers received to the determined winner of the game.

13. A system as recited in claim 12, wherein means for randomly generating a random initial hand of playing cards in the underlying game comprises a random number generator.

14. A system as recited in claim 12, wherein means for generating a random initial hand of playing cards in the underlying game is at least one deck of randomly ordered playing cards.

15. A system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a display device in communication with the communication device and configured for displaying the values of playing cards revealed in the game.

16. A system according to claim 15, wherein the processor is remotely located from the display device.

17. A system as recited in claim 12, wherein the communication device and processor are mounted in a unitary housing.

18. A system according to claim 12, wherein the processor is remotely located from the communication device.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120244924
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 21, 2012
Publication Date: Sep 27, 2012
Inventor: Gary Willis (Brookeland, TX)
Application Number: 13/426,512
Classifications