SUIT MATCH CARD GAME

A method and system for playing a casino style card game includes a dealer and up to 7 players. The game can be played using physical playing cards or electronically generated playing cards in a computerized gaming system. The game has four segments, a side bet round, a bonus round, an ante round and a match round. The game can be adapted for use with a blackjack game incorporating the aforementioned four segments in addition to a conventional blackjack wager. All winning player hands are paid according to a predetermined pay-table as desired by a casino or operator of the game.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/911,715; filed Dec. 4, 2013, herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a card game which is played with either physical standard 52 card decks of cards or electronically. The game can be played as a stand-alone game or it can be adapted to be played as an addition to any casino style blackjack game. Advantageously, the game is played as a wagering game and preferably played in a casino environment. The game may involve multiple wagers and may include four playing segments: (1) a side bet round, (2) bonus round, (3) ante round, and a (4) match round. When the game is added to blackjack, the aforementioned four playing segments are in addition to the blackjack wager.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many different wagering games use standard decks of 52 playing cards. These games may involve the individuals playing individually against a dealer or against each other. These wagering games can be played using one or more standard decks of cards. A standard 52 card deck has four suits (hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades). There are normally 13 cards in each suit numbered 2-10, plus a Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.

These games can be played using actual (i.e. physical) cards or electronically. Electronic card wagering games can involve a machine, such as a video machine, where an individual is playing against that machine, e.g. video poker. In addition, games can be played on a computer where an individual may access a virtual casino over the Internet and play similar to a video poker machine or play against other individuals connected to a virtual casino.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a card game that, for example, is played as a casino card game with a dealer and one or more players up to seven total players. The game can be played using physical playing cards or electronically, e.g. on dedicated computerized gaming machines as well as on personal computers, smart phones, PDA/tablet computers, etc., which may be connected to the Internet. The game can also be played as an instant lottery ticket commonly referred to as a scratch off, and as a lottery draw game.

Referring to the casino version, the present game is preferably played with four standard fifty two card playing card decks, or with six or eight standard fifty-two card decks when added to casino style blackjack. The game is divided into four playing segments, (1) a side bet round, (2) a bonus round, (3) ante round, and (4) a match round. The blackjack version also has the aforementioned four playing segments, in addition to the blackjack wager.

In the “stand-alone” (i.e. not incorporated into blackjack), each player places up to four wagers, (1) an ante wager, (2) a match wager, (3) a bonus wager and (4) a side bet wager to start the game. The (1) ante wager and the (2) match wager are mandatory wagers while the (3) bonus wager and the (4) side bet wager are optional wagers. All four wagers must be made prior to the start of the game. The dealer pays winning hands at four points of the game, once after the side bet round, after the bonus round, after the ante round and after the match round. All winning player hands are paid according to a predetermined pay-table as desired by a casino or operator of the game. Examples of pay tables are discussed below. Each player hand will consist of three randomly sequentially dealt cards. The dealer will have a one card hand.

While the game may be played in many forms, one preferred embodiment of the invention is played in a casino at a playing table with a dealer and up to seven players standard playing cards are randomized, for example either using an electronic card shuffling device conventional in the art which mechanically shuffles physical playing cards or by a dealer manually shuffling the playing cards.

The game can be played as follows:

    • a. At least one player makes an ante wager and a match wager to initiate a game. The player may also place an optional side bet wager and an optional bonus wager;
    • b. A dealer deals the randomized cards as follows. The dealer sequentially deals the at least one player a first card face up, a second card face up, and a third card face up, and then deals a single card down for the dealer;
    • c. The dealer reveals the face down dealer card;
    • d. The dealer compares the side bet wager to the single dealer card to determine if the player's side bet wager is a winner. If so, the dealer pays the player's side bet wager according to a predetermined pay table. If the player's side bet wager is not a winner, the dealer takes the side bet wager;
    • e. The dealer compares the bonus wager to the single dealer card and the at least one player three card hand to determine if the player's bonus wager is a winner. If so, the dealer pays the player's bonus wager according to a predetermined pay table. If the player's bonus wager is not a winner, the dealer takes the bonus wager;
    • f. The dealer compares the ante wager to the single dealer card and the at least one player three card hand to determine if the player's ante wager is a winner. If so, the dealer pays the player's ante wager according to a predetermine pay table. If the player's ante wager is not a winner, the dealer takes the ante wager; and
    • g. The dealer compares the match wager to the single dealer card and the at least one player three card hand to determine if the player's match wager is a winner. If so, the dealer pays the player's match wager according to a predetermined pay table. If the player's match wager is not a winner, the dealer takes the match wager.

In an alternative form, the present invention may be played as either a scratch off lottery game or as a lottery draw game version. For example, one variation of the present invention can be played as a lottery instant game commonly referred to as a “scratch off”. Typically a player will read the directions printed on the lottery scratch off ticket and scratch off the entire play area. Winning tickets are predetermined and can be validated by scanners located at the point of sale. Several variations of the present game can be transformed into lottery scratch off games. Each version of the scratch offs will have specific instructions on how to play as well as predetermined prize structures. A predetermined amount (Run) of tickets is printed within each participating state. For example, for a $5 lottery instant ticket, the run or print total is usually 2 million tickets @ $5 per ticket for a total print value of $10 million.

With regard to a lottery draw game, the present game may be played as a modification of conventional lottery draw games. For example, typically a lottery draw game is played multiple times a week and is sponsored by or conducted by states or municipalities. A predetermined window of time for ticket sales is established by a lottery commission (responsible for running the lottery) as well as ticket price and prize structure. In the lottery draw game scenario the present game would be played by players purchasing tickets and getting randomly generated tickets that contain three randomly selected cards from six standard decks of fifty two playing cards. At the conclusion of ticket sales for any particular draw, one dealer card will be drawn randomly by the lottery to determine winners/non winners in both the match portion of the game as well as the suit marketing portion of the game in accordance with this disclosure. Winning tickets will be redeemed at this time and non-winning tickets can be discarded. Prizes will come from a predetermined pay table.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a method of playing the card game in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a playing table containing seven player areas, and a dealer area containing designated areas for chips, and the dealer card.

FIG. 3 shows the detail of a portion of one of the seven player areas shown in FIG. 1, showing a portion of the player area containing a designated area for the four player wagers (side bet, bonus, ante and match wagers) and the player's area also contains a designated area for the player's dealt cards.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of another method of playing a game as an addition to casino style blackjack in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a playing table containing seven player areas, and a dealer area containing designated areas for chips, for use in playing the game of the method of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6-8 shows examples of playing the game as a lottery instant game.

FIG. 9 shows an example of playing the game in addition to blackjack as a lottery instant game.

FIG. 10 shows a logo for the game “suitz” in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows the logo for the game 21+suitz.

FIG. 12 shows the logo for the suitz side bet.

FIG. 13a depicts an exemplary user interface of a video game version of the present invention in accordance with another aspect the present disclosure and FIG. 13b depicts a home computer implementation of the game.

FIG. 14 shows another aspect of the video game version in accordance with the present card game.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart of another method of playing the game as video game in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart of a method of playing an instant lottery game in accordance with the present disclosure.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present game will now be described with reference to the figures and in particular to FIGS. 1-3 which are directed to one method of playing a card game in accordance with the present invention. Referring specifically to FIG. 1, the game is played in accordance with the steps of method 10, in which the game can be played by several players, for example up to seven plus a dealer. A dealer shuffles (either manually or via automatic mechanical card shuffler known in the art) or is otherwise provided with pre-shuffled, random playing cards, and places into a card shoe several decks of standard fifty-two card playing cards, e.g. four decks (step 15). One or more of the players make one or more wagers (step 20). Possible wagers include an (a) ante wager, (b) match wager, (c) side bet wager and/or (d) bonus wager (step 20), as will be discussed further below. The dealer sequentially deals each player three cards face up from the card shoe (step 30). The dealer then deals the dealer one card face down (step 30). The dealer then reveals the single, dealer card, turning over the originally face down card (step 40). The dealer is initially dealt the card face down to create a few seconds of drama and excitement for the players. Final determination of the dealer card being dealt face up or down would be at the discretion of each participating casino or person or entity practicing the present method/game.

The dealer compares a side bet wager to the dealer card to determine if one or more player(s) side bet wager is a winner. The side bet wager pays 2-1 for winning wagers that correctly pick the suit of the dealer's initially single, dealt face up card (i.e. dealer up card).

Next, the dealer compares each player(s)′ three card hand to the dealer to see if any of the players have a bonus wager winner (step 60). The dealer will then pay or take the player(s) winning/losing bonus wagers (step 60) as follows: three suited aces that match dealer card—1,000,000-1, three suited 2's through kings that match dealer card—100,000-1, three random aces that match dealer ace—1,000-1, three random 2's through kings that match dealer 2 through King—500-1, two suited exact matches of the dealer card—100-1 and one suited exact match of the dealer card—10-1.

Next, the dealer compares each player(s) three card hand to the dealer to see if any of the player(s) ante wager is a winner and then pays or takes the winning/losing ante wagers from the players (step 70). Ante wager pay table pays: one card of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer card—1-1, two cards of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer card 3-1 and three cards of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer card—5-1.

Finally, the dealer compares each player(s) three card hand to the dealer to see if any of the players match wager is a winner and subsequently pays or takes the player(s) winning/losing match wagers (step 80). The match wager pays as follows: one exact suited match of the dealer card—10-1, two exact suited matches of the dealer card—40-1, three exact suited matches of the dealer card—200-1, one non-suited match of the dealer card—2-1, two non-suited matches of the dealer card—10-1, three non-suites matches of the dealer card—30-1, any suited three of a kind in the player(s) hand that does not match the dealer card—50-1, any three of a kind in the player(s) hand that does not match the dealer card—20-1, one suited match plus one non-suited match of the dealer card—20-1, one suited match of the dealer card plus two non-suited matches of the dealer card—50-1, two suited matches plus one non-suited match of the dealer card—100-1, one suited match of the dealer card plus any one pair—20-1, one non-suited match of the dealer card plus any one pair—5-1 and one random pair in the player(s) hand—1-1.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, FIG. 2 shows a table where the card game of the present invention could be played, for example, at a casino. The table includes an area for the dealer and a plurality of individual player areas. FIG. 3 shows expanded detail of a portion of the player area. The top of the table is usually a felt material having printing thereon. As shown this table has seven player areas. FIG. 2 shows that the dealer area includes a location where the dealer keeps chips. As is typical in the casino environment, the dealer has available a plurality of different color chips, for example, white, pink, red, green, black, and purple, each different colored chip having a different monetary value.

The dealer area also includes a game area, and a dealer card area. The game area includes a game identifying logo e.g. “SUITZ”. The dealer hand area is simply a marked place where the dealer card will be placed.

As previously stated, FIG. 2 shows that up to seven individual players can play at each table. Each player area has a felt marked portion. The player area also has a designated portion for the delivery of the player(s) cards. In each player(s) portion is a specified betting area for a side bet wager, ante wager, and match wager. Closer to the dealer area located above each player area is a specified betting area for the player(s) bonus wager. For the player(s) side bet wager each of the four card suits will be represented in the player area specifically marked side bet wager with the identifying logo e.g. “SUITZ SIDE BET”. For the player(s) bonus wager there will be a specified area on the table marked bonus wager. For the player(s) ante wager there will be a specified area on the table marked ante wager where the player identifies a suit. For the player(s) match wager there will be a specified area on the table marked match wager. Located in the table play area will be an example of each pay table that is specific for the side bet wager, the bonus bet wager, the ante wager, and the match wager. Side bet wager pays 2-1 for winning wagers that correctly pick the suit of the dealer card.

Side bet wager pays 2-1 for winning wagers that correctly pick the suit of the dealer card. Bonus wager pay table pays as shown in the following Table 1:

TABLE 1 Criteria Payout 3 suited aces that match dealer card 1,000,000-1    3 suited 2's thru kings that match dealer card 100,000-1    3 random aces that match dealer ace 1,000-1   3 random 2's thru kings that match dealer 2 500-1 through King 2 suited exact matches of the dealer card 100-1 1 suited exact match of the dealer card  10-1

Ante wager pay Table 2 pays:

TABLE 2 Criteria Payout 1 card of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer card 1-1 2 cards of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer card 3-1 3 cards of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer card 5-1

Match wager pay Table 3 pays:

TABLE 3 Criteria Payout one exact suited match of the dealer card 10-1 two exact suited matches of the dealer card 40-1 three exact suited matches of the dealer card 200-1  two non-suited matches of the dealer card 10-1 one non-suited match of the dealer card  2-1 Any suited three of a kind in the player(s) hand that does 50-1 not match the dealer card three non-suites matches of the dealer card 30-1 any three of a kind in the player(s) hand that does 20-1 not match the dealer card one suited match plus one non-suited match of the dealer card 20-1 one suited match plus one non-suited match of the dealer card 20-1 one suited match of the dealer card plus two non-suited matches 50-1 of the dealer card two suited matches plus one non-suited match of the dealer card 100-1  one suited match of the dealer card plus any one pair 20-1 one non-suited match of the dealer card plus any one pair  5-1 one random pair in the player(s) hand  1-1

The above listed pay Tables 1-3 are examples. Actual or alternative pay tables may vary at individual casinos.

Method of Preferred Play Example 1

Method 10 (FIG. 1) will be described in more detail, with reference to the following Example 1. Four standard 52 card decks of playing cards are randomly shuffled and placed into a dealing shoe (step 15). The dealing shoe can be any one conventionally used in casinos. One half of one deck is cut from play by the dealer (step 15). This results in three and one half decks for play. The dealer burns the first card from the shoe by placing the card into the discard rack. The game now starts after at least one player places an ante wager and a match wager to initiate a new game (step 20). Individual casino or house rules can set casino minimum and maximum wagers.

The dealer, deals cards sequentially, one at a time, from left to right to a specified area of the table layout, face up until each participating player has three cards (step 30). The dealer then deals the next card, face down, from the shoe to an area designated dealer card (step 30). The dealer then turns over and expose the dealer card (step 40).

The dealer compares dealer card to player(s) hand(s) that placed a wager on the optional side bet (step 50). The object for the player(s) to win the side bet is to correctly pick the suit of the dealer card. In one example, a player places a wager on the side bet by placing a chip (that meets the table minimum and maximum requirements set forth by the casino) on hearts (step 20). Dealer card is a heart and winning side bet wagers are then paid 2-1 by the dealer (step 50). Non-winning side bet wagers are then taken by the dealer (step 50).

The dealer then checks for winning bonus wagers for the player(s) that placed a wager (that meets the table minimum and maximum requirements set forth by the casino) on the optional bonus bet (step 60). The player(s) win(s) the bonus wager if one or more cards have an exact numerical match to the dealer card or a suited match of one or more of the player(s) three card hand to the dealer card. For example, player(s) hand contains the 10 of hearts, Jack of spades, and 2 of diamonds. The dealer card is the 10 of hearts. Player has one exact suited numerical match and that player will win 10-1 on his or her bonus wager (step 60). Winning player(s) bonus wagers are now paid according to the predetermined pay table printed on the table layout (step 60). Non-winning bonus wagers are also taken at this time by the dealer (step 60).

The dealer then checks for winning player(s) ante wagers (Step 70). The player(s) win the ante wager if one or more cards in the player(s) three card hand are of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer card. For example, dealer card is the 7 of diamonds and a player hand contains the 6 of spades, King of clubs, and 9 of diamonds. The player(s) 9 of diamonds is of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer card which is the 7 of diamonds. Player(s) with one card of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer card are paid according to a predetermined pay table printed on the layout which is 1-1 on the player(s) ante wager. Player(s) having two cards in their three card hand of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer card are paid 3-1, and if all three cards in the player(s) hand are of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer card the player(s) will win 5-1 on said player(s) ante wager (step 70).

The dealer now checks for winning player(s) match wagers (step 80). The player(s) to win the match wager is to match at least one of the player(s) three cards to the dealer card or have a non-matching pair or any suited three of a kind, or any non-suited three of a kind in the player(s) three card hand for example, the dealer card is the Jack of hearts. Player(s) three card hand is the Jack of hearts, Jack of spades, and Jack of diamonds. The player(s) hand has a winning match wager that pays the player 50-1 for having one exact suited numerical match, and two non-suited numerical matches in the players three card hand (step 80). Match pay tables are printed on the table layout for all player(s) to see. Although the pay tables shown in FIG. 3 have specific values, the values can be used at the discretion or desire of the individual casinos.

In an alternative form of playing the game of method 10, rather than being played as a casino table game with physical playing cards, the game of method 10 can be played in a video, electronic form which includes but is not limited to a standalone video casino game, a game played on a personal computer, a PDA, a smart phone, tablet computer, personal electronic device, game console, etc. The aforementioned devices may be connected to a central server via the Internet in order for the user to play the game. Alternatively, the video game version can be completely standalone and not require the electronic device be connected to a central server.

One casino style video game unit is shown in FIG. 13a and a home computer or personal device implementation embodiment is shown in FIG. 13b. In both embodiments of FIGS. 13a and 13b, the devices include a processor, memory, video display and optional network connectivity to connect the electronic device to a central server.

FIG. 14 depicts a user interface that may be used in both the environments of FIG. 13a and FIG. 13b. However, alternative visual layout and designs are possible and adaptable as one would understand and use in accordance with the rules of the present game and the method 10.

Referring specifically to FIG. 14, an interactive video screen is shown for a video gaming machine (e.g. FIGS. 13a and 13b) that has multiple games such as casino style video versions of card games. Advantageously, as discussed above, the video game machine of FIG. 13a and the personal electronic device (FIG. 13b) are connected to a central server. In the video version, a computer represents a dealer and a player can play either directly against the computer/dealer or multiple simulated players can play along with the human player against the house/computer dealer.

As shown in FIG. 14, the present video game implementation of the present game can be part of a multi-game interface of games in which all components of the present method are incorporated into a computer system. The computer system will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, based on the present disclosure, suitable for performing the game of method 10. Players can select the present game from a list of available games. A player can be presented with instructions on how to play the present game. The video version of the present game is played similar to that of the casino version described above with regard to FIG. 1 in which a computer acts as the dealer and performs all of the same tasks that the dealer. Winning wagers are recognized and due credits are added to a player's credit total. Non-winning wagers are subtracted from a player's credit total.

Players can make all of the same wagers that could be made in a casino version as described above with regard to method 10. The host central server computer acts as the dealer and complete game information entered into the central server will determine the random outcome for each hand. Winning wagers will be rewarded by credits applied to their credit totals and non-winning wagers will have credits deducted from their credit total.

In an alternative to the video game version requiring the electronic device be connected to a central computer, the present game can be played as a stand-alone game in which a player plays for personal entertainment but the player's electronic device does not necessarily need to be connected to a central server. Accordingly, players would not receive redeemable credits. If the electronic device is a personal device having network connectivity, players can access the Internet to visit an online gaming site. Players can purchase credits for wager at the online gaming site. Players can select the present game from a list of other available online games.

Referring now to FIG. 15, in method 200, a player accesses a host or server computer via the Internet using any suitable electronic device (step 210). A player can purchase wager credits (step 220). A player then wagers on the game (step 230). Randomly generated cards are provided to the players and the dealer (step 240). Winning wagers are recognized and credits are added to each players total credits (step 250). Non-winning wagers are recognized and credits are deducted from player's credit total (step 260). In an alternative form to method 200, rather than accessing the Internet (step 210), the electronic device performs all sets without being connected to a host computer, all other aspects are the same as method 200. However, no actual cash value is won or lost. Payment can be made using a credit card, online bank account or other commerce methods currently known or developed in the future.

Incorporation into a Casino Style Blackjack Example 2

In an alternative form the game may be incorporated into a casino style blackjack game. Referring now to method 100 of FIG. 4, several fifty-two—card decks are shuffled, for example six or eight standard fifty-two-card decks to produce a randomly shuffled arrangement which are placed in a dealing shoe (step 115). Players can make a blackjack wager which initiates the game (step 120). The players make additional bets in the form of side bet wager, ante wager, match wager or any combination of the three (step 120).

The dealer then sequentially deals each player, two cards, face up, and the dealer deals the dealer one card face up and one card face down (step 130). If none of the players places an optional side bet, ante bet, or match wager (step 120), the game proceeds to step 180 and play continues like a traditional casino style blackjack game known to one of ordinary skill in the art (step 190).

Should one or more players make an optional bet (step 120), the dealer compares the player's side bet wager to the dealer's face up card to determine if the side bet wager is a winner (step 150) as in method 10, step 50. Players which wager to correctly predict the suit of the dealer up card by placing a chip on one or more of the four different suits (hearts, clubs, diamonds or spades) represented on the table laid out in a specific location in the player area (step 120). Winning side bet wagers are paid 2-1, and losing side bet wagers are taken by the dealer (step 150). The dealer will now compare the dealer up card with the at least one player(s) optional ante wager (step 150). As with the game of method 10, the object of winning the optional ante wager is for one or both of the at least one player(s) two cards be of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer up card. If one card in the player(s) two card hand is a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer up card the ante wager pays 2-1 (step 170). If both cards in the player(s) hand are a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer up card the winning ante wager pays 5-1 (step 170). The dealer will take losing ante wagers (step 170).

The dealer will now compare the dealer up card to the at least one player(s) optional match wager to see if the player(s) has a winning match wager (step 180). Again, like the game of method 10, the object of winning the optional match wager is for one or both of the player(s) two cards to be an exact suited numerical match to the dealer up card or if one or both of the player(s) two cards are a non suited numerical match to the dealer up card or a combination of both scenarios (step 180). The player(s) may also win the optional match wager by having any random pair in the player(s) two card hand that does not match the dealer up card (step 180). The optional match wager pays the player(s) for one exact suited match of the dealer up card 10-1, two exact suited matches of the dealer up card 50-1 (step 180). One exact suited match of the dealer up card plus one numerical match of the dealer up card 20-1 (step 180). The optional match wager pays the player(s) for having two non suited numerical matches of the dealer up card 15-1 (step 180). The optional match wager pays the player(s) for having one non-suited numerical match of the dealer up card 2-1 (step 180). The optional match wager pays the player(s) for having any random pair that does not match the dealer up card 1-1 (step 180).

As with method 10, and its associated Example 1 above, the previously mentioned pay table is an example that may vary depending on each individual casino.

Finally, at step 190, the player(s) will now play the standard regular casino blackjack portion of the game. For example, the Blackjack can be any traditional game of 21 played at casinos in Las Vegas or Atlantic City, and modified by house rules, dealer stays on hits on 16, or the use of only two decks of cards in the shoe.

Instant Lottery Version Example 3

Referring now to FIGS. 6-9, in yet another form of the present invention, the game may be incorporated into a lottery style scratch off instant game. In particular, FIGS. 6-8 show ways in which the method of the game 10 can be incorporated into an instant lottery game and FIG. 9 is an example of how the game 10 can be incorporated into a lottery instant game.

Specifically referring to FIGS. 6-8, and referring to the flow chart of FIG. 16, in one form, the present method can be incorporated into an instant lottery ticket game, identified as method 300 (FIG. 16). Initial setup of an instant lottery ticket system includes selection of specific artwork designed for the instant lottery tickets and value of each ticket (step 310). Advantageously, a computer program is written for administering a lottery instant ticket system that determines percentage of winning/non-winning tickets as well as the overall prize structure. Prize structure can either be predetermined or random among a run of tickets.

The prize structure the present Suitz instant lottery tickets (“scratch offs”) is predetermined and ultimately at the discretion of a participating lottery group implementing an instant lottery game.

In general using a $5 instant ticket as an example the overall odds of the player winning something is approximately 1 in 4. Players can win anything from a free ticket up to a top prize of $40,000. For higher denomination tickets the top prize can be as high as $250,000 for a $20 instant ticket or as low as $5000 for a $1 instant ticket. Again using a $5 ticket as an example, the predetermined prize structure would include prizes that range from:

$40,000
$500
$250
$100
$50
$40
$25
$20
$10
$5

Free Ticket

The tickets are generated from a computer program that accounts for all winning prizes. Example; two million $5 tickets are printed with a presale value of $10,000,000.

5.7 million dollars (57%) will be returned to the players in the form of winning tickets that will range from a free ticket up to and including the $40,000 winners. 4.3 million (43%) is the gross profit for the lottery on that particular ticket. Also deducted from the gross profit are the manufacturing cost for printing the tickets and marketing and advertising costs for the game. Additionally, the 1% fee lottery retailers receive for cashing winning tickets will come out of the 43%.

Instructions for playing the various forms of an instant lottery game, as disclosed, is printed on the respective lottery tickets, for example as shown in FIG. 6-8. A player purchases a ticket (step 310, FIG. 16) and then can read the instructions printed on the ticket (step 320). Initially all playing cards shown on the respective tickets of FIGS. 6-8 will be covered. A player then scratches off the covering over the ticket to reveal all playing cards printed on the lottery ticket as shown in FIGS. 6-8 (step 330).

In one implementation, instant tickets can be printed for a specific state lottery or municipality. Instant lottery tickets can be distributed to lottery retailers on an as needed basis. As with conventional lottery tickets, they can be sold at lottery retailers and winning lottery tickets are redeemed at local retailers. Non-winning tickets can be discarded.

Referring now to method 300 of FIG. 16 in more detail, a player purchases lottery tickets from lottery retailers (step 310). A player unfamiliar with the game can read instructions printed on each ticket on how to play the game (step 320). A player scratches off the entire playing area of the instant lottery ticket (step 330). Next a player compares his or her ticket with a detailed instruction to see if the ticket is a winning ticket (step 340). A player can then redeem a winning ticket at any lottery retailer (step 350). Optionally, winning tickets having large winning prizes may be optionally redeemed only at specific locations such as a lottery office (step 360).

Instant Lottery Game with Blackjack Example 4

Referring now to FIG. 9, Player buys/purchases one of the present instant lottery suit match blackjack (scratch off) tickets for a predetermined price (step 310), example $5. Players can win up to 15 times on one ticket. Prizes can range from a free ticket up to $40,000.

On each game ticket there are seven player hands, each with two cards numbered player hand one to player hand seven. There are two dealer cards labeled dealer up card and dealer down card. There is also a bonus section that has one random card.

If the bonus card is an exact match to the “Dealer up card” the player will win the prize shown for the bonus.

Example; Dealer up card is the eight of diamonds and the bonus card is also the eight of diamonds, player wins prize shown for the bonus section of the game ticket.

If the bonus card and the dealer up card are not an exact match the player does not win the bonus.

Player will now scratch off the entire play area of the game ticket that includes the seven player hands and the two dealer cards (step 330). Players have two chances of winning. If either one or both of the two player cards in any one hand are of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer up card then the player will win prize shown for that hand. If both player cards in the same hand are of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer up card the player will win “Double” the prize shown for that hand. Example; dealer up card is the eight of diamonds and in the same player hand the two player cards are the king of diamonds and the queen of diamonds the player will win “Double” the prize shown for that hand.

Players now play traditional blackjack (Aces count as eleven) with their two card hands against the dealers two card hand. If the sum total of any player two card hand is higher in numerical value than the sum total of the dealer two card hand, the player will win the prize shown for that hand.

Example; Dealer hand contains the eight of spades and the ten of hearts for a numerical value of eighteen. The player hand consists of king of clubs and the jack of diamonds for a numerical value of twenty. The player will win the prize shown for that hand.

Lottery Draw Game Example 5

Player purchases a lottery draw game ticket from a participating lottery retailer, which implements this game, for a predetermined price. Example; $2 and receives a randomly generated ticket from a central server computer that contains a three card hand. For an additional $1 wager on the same ticket the player will be eligible for a bonus scenario that could win the player up to one million dollars.

Because of the high volume of potential play the randomly generated three card hands will come from approximately 100,000 decks of virtual cards e.g. computer generated.

Players have two ways to win on their ticket and also a third way if they wagered the extra dollar to be eligible for the bonus.

Because this is a lottery draw game (i.e. tickets are generate, i.e. printed, by a lottery terminal known in the art, e.g. via lottery terminals such terminals used for Powerball® and the like), tickets for each draw will be sold for a predetermined amount of time. Tickets are usually sold up to five minutes before the next scheduled draw.

A single dealer card will be selected randomly by a lottery operated central server computer to determine winners and non-winners for each game.

Players have two ways to win on each game ticket. Players may also have a third way to win if they elected to play the bonus as a separate wager.

Example; Players can win by having:

    • a. One, two, or three of their cards on any one line being of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer card.
    • b. One, two, or three numerical matches of the dealer card.
    • c. One, two or three suited numerical matches of the dealer card.
    • d. Any pair or any three of a kind that does not match the dealer card.

Players that wagered on the bonus can win up to one million dollars for having three suited matches of the dealer card. Example; player has three Aces of hearts that match a dealer ace of hearts.

All prizes will come from a predetermined pay table. The pay table can include the pay tables described in the disclosure with regard to the method or game 10.

Alternative Casino Play Example 6

In an alternative casino style play to the one of Example 1, i.e. method 10, Example 6 provides an alternative paytable and an additional qualifying (winning) hand for the ante bet. As with method 10, the game of Example 6 is played with four standard decks of 52 cards.

Up to seven players may play this version of the game at any time, in addition to the dealer. Each player begins the game by placing up to four wagers: the ante wager, the match wager, side bet wager and bonus wager. The ante and match wagers are mandatory, while the side bet and bonus wagers are optional. The side bet wager is made by placing a bet on one of the four suit symbols on the table, while the other wagers are placed in their designated, labeled space in front of the player. Once all bets have been made, the dealer sequentially deals each player a first card face up, a second card face up and a third card face up. Then a single card is dealt face down for the dealer. The dealer then reveals the face down card and compares this single card to each set of the player's cards to see if any who have placed the side wager are winners. This wager pays 2 to 1 if the player has correctly placed the side bet on the suit symbol matching the suit of the dealer's single card.

The dealer will then review the three-card hands of any player who has placed the bonus wager. This bet pays if the player has at least one card that is the exact suit and rank of the dealer's. All winning combinations and their corresponding pays for the bonus wager can be found in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Bonus Wager Pay Tables (Example 6) 50K One Million Winning Combination Bonus Bonus Three suited Aces that match the dealer card 50000 1000000 Three suited 2's thru Kings that match the 25000 100000 dealer card Three random Aces that match the dealer Ace 1000 1000 Three random 2's thru Kings that match the 500 500 dealer 2 thru Two suited exact matches of the dealer card 300 100 One suited exact match of the dealer card 10 8 Other −1 −1

A more detailed description of the winning hands for the bonus bet is as follows:

    • Three suited Aces that match the dealer card—The player hand contains three Aces, which are in the same suit as the dealer's Ace.
    • Three suited 2's thru Kings that match the dealer card—The player hand contains a Three of a Kind, which is of the same rank and in the same suit as the dealer's non-Ace card.
    • Three random Aces that match the dealer Ace—The player hand contains three Aces. At least one Ace is not of the same suit as the dealer's Ace.
    • Three random 2's thru Kings that match the dealer 2 thru King—The player hand contains a Three of a Kind, which is of the same rank as the dealer's non-Ace card. At least one card is not of the same suit as the dealer card.
    • Two suited exact matches of the dealer card—The player hand contains two cards in the same suit and of the same rank as the dealer card.
    • One suited exact match of the dealer card—The player hand contains one card in the same suit and of the same rank as the dealer card.

After reconciling all bonus wagers, the dealer compares each player's three-card hand to the dealer's single card to determine if the ante wager should be paid. The ante bet wins if the player has at least one card that is of a higher rank and is in the same suit as the dealer's card. The winning hands and their designated pays are shown in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Ante Wager Pay Table (Example 6) Winning Combination Pay Suited A, K, Q in Dealer Suit 100 Three cards of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer 8 Two cards of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer 4 One card of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer 1 Other −1

Finally, the dealer compares the three-card hand of each player to the dealer's face up card in order to resolve all match bets. The match wager pays if the player's hand contains at least one non-suited match of the dealer's card. Each winning match combination, as well as its corresponding pay, is shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Match Wager Pay Table (Example 6) Winning Combination Pay Three exact suited matches of the dealer card 100 Two suited matches plus one non-suited match of the dealer card 40 Any suited Three of a Kind in the player(s) hand that does not 30 match the dealer One suited match of the dealer card plus two non-suited matches of 30 the dealer Two exact suited matches of the dealer card 20 Three non-suited matches of the dealer card 20 Any Three of a Kind in the player(s) hand that does not match the 10 dealer card One suited match plus one non-suited match of the dealer card 10 One exact suited match of the dealer card 6 Two non-suited matches of the dealer card 4 One non-suited match of the dealer card 1 Other −1

The above winning combinations are defined in greater detail below:

    • Three exact suited matches of the dealer card—The player hand must contain any suited Three of a Kind of the same rank and in the same suit as the single dealer card.
    • Two suited matches plus one non-suited match of the dealer card—The player hand must contain a Three of a Kind of the same rank as the dealer. Two of the cards must be in the same suit as the dealer card, while the third is of a different suit.
    • Any suited Three of a Kind in the player(s) hand that does not match the dealer card—The player hand contains a suited, Three of a Kind of a different rank than the single dealer card. The suit does not need to match the suit of the dealer card.
    • One suited match of the dealer card plus two non-suited matches of the dealer card—The player hand contains a Three of a Kind of the same rank as the dealer card. One of these three cards are in the same suit as the single dealer card, while the remaining two are of a different suits.
    • Two exact suited matches of the dealer card—The player hand contains a suited pair of the same rank and in the same suit as the dealer card. The third card is not of the same rank as the dealer card. Suit does not matter for the third card.
    • Three non-suited matches of the dealer card—The player hand contains a Three of a Kind of the same rank as the dealer card, but none of the cards are of the same suit as the dealer card.
    • Any Three of a Kind in the player(s) hand that does not match the dealer card
      • The player hand contains a Three of a Kind of a different rank than the dealer card. Suit does not matter.
    • One suited match plus one non-suited match of the dealer card—The player hand contains exactly two cards of the same rank as the dealer card. One of these two cards is in the same suit as the dealer card, while the other is not.
    • One exact suited match of the dealer card—The player hand contains exactly one card of the same suit and in the same rank as the dealer card. The remaining cards are not of the same rank as the dealer card.
    • Two non-suited matches of the dealer card—The player hand contains exactly two cards of the same rank as the dealer card, but neither is in the same suit as the dealer card.
    • One non-suited match of the dealer card—The hand contains exactly one card of the same rank as the dealer card. This card is not in the same suit as the dealer card.

Only the highest outcome is paid per wager. All pays are X to 1.

Mathematical Analysis of the Game of Example 6

The math analysis for the game of Example 6 was performed using probability theory.

To compute the return of the side wager, the probability of each possible outcome is multiplied by the corresponding pay. The calculations are shown below in Table 7.

TABLE 7 Side Wager Combinations and Expected Values (Example 6) Outcome Hits Probability Expected Value Selected suit matches dealer card 1 0.25000000 0.50000000 Selected suit does not match dealer 3 0.75000000 −0.75000000

Combining the expected values of all outcomes, the final House Edge for the side bet is 25.0000%, which equates to a 75.0000% Return to Player.

Next, to calculate the return of the bonus wager, the probability of receiving each hand combination was computed and multiplied by its corresponding pay. These calculations can be found in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Bonus Wager Combinations and Expected Values (Example 6) Expected Value - Expected Value - Hand Hits Probability 50K Bonus One Million Bonus 3 suited Aces that match the dealer card 16 0.00000005 0.00263989 0.052797878 3 suited 2's thru Kings that match 192 0.00000063 0.01583936 0.063357454 the dealer card 3 random Aces that match the dealer 7264 0.00002397 0.02397024 0.023970237 3 random 2's thru Kings that match 87168 0.00028764 0.14382142 0.143821421 the dealer 2 thru King 2 suited exact matches of the dealer 119808 0.00039535 0.11860515 0.039535051 1 suited exact match of the dealer card 12826112 0.04232447 0.42324469 0.338595751 Other 290001920 0.95696788 −0.95696788 −0.956967881

Adding together the expected values of all possible hand combinations yields a House Edge of 22.8847%, or a 77.1153% Return to Player for the “50K Bonus” and a 70.5110% Return to Player, or 29.4890% House Edge for the “One Million Bonus”.

Finally, the return for the base game of Example 6 is computed by considering both the returns of the ante wager and match wager. The probability of all possible hand types for each of these wagers is multiplied by its corresponding pay. A summary of these calculations are shown in Table 9 and Table 10.

TABLE 9 Ante Combinations and Expected Values (Example 6) Hand Hits Probability Expected Value Suited A, K, Q in Dealer Suit 12544 0.00004139 0.00413935 Three cards of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer 946560 0.00312352 0.02498818 Two cards of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer 13673152 0.04511959 0.18047835 One card of a higher rank in the same suit as the dealer 75187072 0.24810737 0.24810737 Other 213223152 0.70360813 −0.70360813

TABLE 10 Match Combinations and Expected Values (Example 6) Hand Hits Probability Expected Value Three exact suited matches of the dealer card 208 0.00000069 0.00006864 Two suited matches plus one non-suited match of the dealer card 7488 0.00002471 0.00098838 Any suited Three of a Kind in the player(s) hand that does 39936 0.00013178 0.00395351 One suited match of the dealer card plus two non-suited 41184 0.00013590 0.00407705 Two exact suited matches of the dealer card 119808 0.00039535 0.00790701 Three non-suited matches of the dealer card 45760 0.00015100 0.00302004 Any Three of a Kind in the player(s) hand that does not match 1357824 0.00448064 0.04480639 the dealer card One suited match plus one non-suited match of the dealer 1437696 0.00474421 0.04744206 One exact suited match of the dealer card 11441664 0.03775597 0.22653584 Two non-suited matches of the dealer card 2635776 0.00869771 0.03479085 One non-suited match of the dealer card 45766656 0.15102390 0.15102390 Other 240148480 0.79245814 −0.79245814

To compute the final return, the expected value for both the match and ante wagers were computed separately. The values were then added together to form an overall expected value for the base game and this value was divided by the total wager. A summary of these calculations and the overall return to player can be found in Table 11.

TABLE 11 Base Game Return Summary Match Expected Value −26.7844% Ante Expected Value −24.5895% Total Expected Value −51.7879% Total Wagers 2 Return to Player 74.3130% House Edge 25.6870%

Summary of Example 6

Players who play the game of Example 6 will observe a Return to Player of 74.313% on the initial bet, which considers the mandatory ante and match wagers placed by the player. This corresponds to a 25.6870% House Edge.

Since the side wager always has a house edge, it is not in the player's interest to place this bet. Players who place this bet can expect to receive a Return to Player of 75.0000%, which equates to a 25.0000% House Edge.

Similarly, placing the bonus wager is typically not in the best interest of the player. Those who decide to place this bet will receive the highest return of 77.1153% when playing the “50K Bonus” version. This corresponds to a House Edge of 22.8847%. The house will receive the best hold of 29.4890% in the “One Million Bonus” version, yielding a 70.5110% Return to Player.

Alternative Incorporation into a Casino Style Blackjack Example 7

An alternative form of the game of Example 2 (a casino style blackjack game), is provided in Example 7. Like Example 2, the game of Example 7 is an optionally side bet available at any blackjack table configured with multiple decks such as six-decks.

Before cards are dealt, players place the underlying blackjack wager and optionally can place additional bets in the form of a side bet wager or ante wager or both.

After all wagers are placed, the dealer then sequentially deals with each player two cards face up, and deals the dealer one card face up and one card face down in traditional blackjack fashion. If none of the players have placed an optional side bet or ante bet, the game proceeds following traditional blackjack game play. Otherwise, the dealer will resolve any optional wagers that have been placed prior to blackjack game play.

The dealer will resolve any side bet wagers that have been placed at this time. The object of the side bet wager is to correctly wager on the suit of the dealer up-card. If the player has correctly placed the side bet on the suit of the dealer's card, the wager wins and is paid 2 to 1. All other outcomes result in a forfeit of the wager.

Next, the dealer will resolve any ante wagers that have been placed. The object of the ante wager is for the player's cards to at least be in the same suit as the dealer card. These pays are illustrated here in Table 12. All pays are X to 1, meaning the original wager is returned.

TABLE 12 Ante Wager Paytable (Example 7) Outcome Pay A-A Suited that matches the dealer up card suit 50 A-K Suited that matches the dealer up card suit 40 2-2 Suited thru K-K Suits that matches the deal up card 40 A in the same suit as dealer up card 5 2 Cards in the same suit as the dealer up card suit 3 Others −1

After the ante wager has been resolved, traditional blackjack play continues.

Mathematical Analysis of the Game of Example 7

The math analysis for all bets of Example 7 was performed theoretically using probability. The analyses of the bets are demonstrated in Table 13 for the suit side bet and Table 14 for the ante wager.

TABLE 13 Side Bet Analysis (Example 7) Outcome Probability Pay Expected Value Win 0.25 2 0.50 Lose 0.75 −1 −0.75

This results in a Return to Player (RTP) of an even 75% and a House Edge (HE) of 25%.

TABLE 14 Ante Wager Analysis (Example 7) Outcome Probability Pay Expected Value A-A Suited that matches the dealer upcard suit 0.00060638 50 0.03031923 A-K suited that matches the dealer upcard suit 0.00072766 40 0.02910646 2-2 Suited thru K-K Suits that matches the deal up card 0.00727662 40 0.29106460 A in the same suit as dealer up card 0.03675648 5 0.18378240 2 Cards in the same suit as the dealer up card suit 0.04408416 3 0.13225248 Others 0.91054870 −1 −0.91054870

This results in a RTP of 75.5976% and a HE of 24.4024%.

Additionally, the bets were analyzed to assess susceptibly to card-counting at the 50% and 75% penetration level. For each card-counting analysis, the game was simulated to generate random card compositions over the course of a 6-deck shoe. For each card composition, the optimal wager was calculated, based on complete information about the cards revealed to the players up to the time of the wager. It was assumed that the card-counting player would place the optimal side wager only when there is a positive player advantage, and would sit out otherwise. Because the deck compositions are statistically sampled, the reported figures should be understood to contain a small amount of statistical error. A summary of these results is found below in Table 15 and Table 16.

TABLE 15 Side Bet Card Counting Results (Example 7) Penetration Level 50.0000% 75.0000% Player Winnings Per Game Played 3.0256% 6.5407% Average Player Winnings Per 0.0005% 0.0739% Frequency of Play 0.0174% 1.1294%

TABLE 16 Ante Bet Card Counting Results (Example 7) Penetration Level 50.0000% 75.0000% Player Winnings Per Game Played 0.0000% 0.6587% Average Player Winnings Per 0.0000% 0.0001% Frequency of Play 0.0000% 0.0218%

Summary of Example 7

Since the version of the game of Example 7 is a side bet with a House Edge, players should not place the side bets as it would reduce the return on the underlying blackjack wager. Should players elect to place a wager of the game of Example 7, a player would see the best return when placing the ante wager with a Return to Player percentage of 75.5976%, equivalent to a House Edge of 24.4024%. The house will observe the best hold when players place the side wager, resulting in a 25% House Edge, or a 75% Return to Player.

Card counting analysis for the side bet showed a 0.0174% frequency of play, corresponding to playing 1 in 5742 games at the 50% penetration level. At the 75% level, the frequency of play was 1.1294%, corresponding to placing a wager 1 in 89 games. The ante bet card counting analysis showed no games where it would be in the interest of the player to bet at the 50% level, and the 0.0218% frequency of play at the 75% level corresponds to a player placing this wager 1 in 4595 games. Thus, although the card counting analysis did indicate there may be games where the card-counting player could take advantage of the 21+Suitz bets, the infrequency of the occurrences shows that overall the game is not susceptible to card counting.

It will be understood that various details of the presently disclosed subject matter can be changed without departing from the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. Furthermore, the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only, and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A method of playing a card game, comprising:

a. receiving an ante wager and a match wager from at least one player;
b. optionally receiving an optional bonus wager and or an optional side bet wager from the at least one player;
c. dealing the at least one player a first, second, and third playing card from randomized standard playing cards, face up then deals the dealer one card face down;
d. comparing the dealer card to the at least one player three card hand for the optional side bet wager, the optional bonus wager, the ante wager, and the match wager;
e. paying the at least one player if the player's three card hand meets the combination specified on a payment table for the optional side wager, the optional bonus wager, the ante wager, and the match wager; and
f. taking the side bet wager, the bonus wager, the ante wager, and the match wager if the player's three card hand does not meet the combination specified on a payment table.

2. The method of playing the card game of claim 1, wherein a dealer deals from a standard fifty-two card deck, having fours suits, each suit having thirteen cards having, in an order from low to high, a value of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace.

3. The method of playing the card game of claim 1, wherein a dealer deals card from a shoe of four decks of cards.

4. A method of playing a card game, comprising:

a. receiving an ante wager and a match wager from at least one player;
b. optionally receiving an optional bonus wager and or an optional side bet wager from the at least one player;
c. deals the at least one player a first and second card face up and then deals the dealer one card face down and one card face up;
d. comparing the dealer card to the at least one player three card hand for the optional side bet wager, the optional bonus wager, the ante wager, and the match wager;
e. paying the at least one player if the player's three card hand meets the combination specified on a payment table for the optional side wager, the optional bonus wager, the ante wager, and the match wager; and
f. taking the side bet wager, the bonus wager, the ante wager, and the match wager if the player's three card hand does not meet the combination specified on a payment table; and
g. commencing playing blackjack.
Patent History
Publication number: 20150151190
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 3, 2014
Publication Date: Jun 4, 2015
Inventor: Joseph V. Durbin (Louisville, KY)
Application Number: 14/559,809
Classifications
International Classification: A63F 1/00 (20060101);