Casino Card Game Method of Play

Abstract

The present invention provides the means to “simultaneously” play a multitude of casino card games such as “Poker”, “Blackjack”, “High-Card”, “Low-Card” and table games such as “Roulette”, and floor games such as “Slots” and “Craps” in a single deck of 56 cards, all at a single table. This is accomplished by randomly printing, in the center of the backs of the cards, the names of each of the above-mentioned games. The backs of the cards may also be color-coded to increase recognition of the game in play. The evolving deck of cards is adaptable to both casino operations where players play for monetary rewards or, when combined with a corporate logo on the back of the cards, can also be used as a gift item for non-casino related operations. When incorporated as a table game by a sponsoring casino, the game can be played either with or without a casino dealer.

Description

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to the field of casino card games of the type that are intended to be played by multiple players.

In the casino environment, there are a number of casino table games that are played at separate and distinct tables such as Poker, Blackjack, and Roulette. A casino guest playing at a poker table is limited to playing poker exclusively. Similarly, a casino guest playing at a roulette table or a blackjack table is limited to playing roulette or blackjack to the exclusion of the other table game.

Accordingly, there has existed before now a need to provide a card game that allows play of multiple table games at one single casino table and thus eliminates the need for casino guests to have to move from one table to another in order to enjoy them.

SUMMARY

This invention relates to casino card games of the type that are intended to be played by multiple players, allowing play of a series of different casino table and floor games with a single deck of cards at a single gaming table. Until now it was not possible to play all of these popular table games simultaneously at one single table with a single deck of cards.

Additionally, some embodiments incorporate the ability to play “Roulette” or “Craps”, both very popular casino table games, with a deck of cards. Some embodiments incorporate the ability to play “Slots”, another popular casino floor game, in a card game format. Some embodiments provide the ability to “simultaneously” play all of the above-mentioned casino games (Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, Hi-Card, Low-Card) with a single deck of cards which also incorporates elements of “Slots Jackpot” and “Craps”. Additionally, some embodiments incorporate a “Mystery Card”.

The present invention provides ways to “simultaneously” play a multitude of casino card games such as “Poker”, “Blackjack”, “High-Card”, “Low-Card”, table games such as “Roulette”, and floor games such as “Slots” and “Craps” in a single deck of fifty-six cards, all at a single table. This is accomplished by randomly printing, in the center of the backs of the cards, the names of each of the above-mentioned games.

For example, some cards will be designated as “Poker” cards, some as “Blackjack” cards, and so on through all the types of casino games. The opposite side of the card is called the face. The faces of the cards would be printed with consecutive numbers from two (2) to ten (10) and with images from “Jack”, “Queen”, “King” and “Ace”. No suits would be printed on the faces of the cards and, in their place, black printing would replace spades and clubs and red printing would replace hearts and diamonds. This would mimic the red and black markings on the roulette wheel. The deck of cards is adaptable to both casino operations where players play for monetary rewards or, when combined with a corporate logo on the back of the cards, can also be used as a gift item for non-casino related operations such as hotel chains, cruise lines, automotive manufacturers, insurance companies, etc. Additionally, it can be used in the home for private recreational use where no monetary rewards are included. When incorporated as a table game by a sponsoring casino, the game can be played either with or without a casino dealer.

The novelty and uniqueness of this new deck of cards is that it combines the most popular casino table games and floor games in a single deck of cards and allows casino guests to enjoy all of these games at a single table thus eliminating the need for casino guests to move from a poker table to a roulette table to a blackjack table, in order to enjoy the excitement provided by each of those casino games. Because all of these popular casino games can now be played at a single table, it also provides more effective use of casino floor space. Additionally, because of the extremely fast pace of this new card game, it provides the casino with more revenue over a shorter period of play. For example, the wagering process alone at a roulette table is very time consuming. Add to that the time it takes for the roulette wheel to spin and for the marker to come to rest. Compare that to the nominal time it takes to deal just one black or red card to each player to determine the winner, as provided in the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a rear view of a “High Card” utilized in the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a rear view of a “Low Card” utilized in the present invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates a rear view of a “Roulette Red” card utilized in the present invention;

FIG. 2B illustrates a rear view of a “Roulette Black” card utilized in the present invention;

FIG. 3A illustrates a rear view of a “Black Jack” card utilized in the present invention;

FIG. 3B illustrates a rear view of a “2-Card Poker” card utilized in the present invention;

FIG. 4A illustrates a front view of a “Jackpot Card” utilized in the present invention;

FIG. 4B illustrates a front view of a “Craps Card” utilized in the present invention; and

FIG. 4C illustrates a rear view of a “Mystery Card” utilized in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides ways to “simultaneously” play a multitude of casino card games such as “Poker”, “Blackjack”, “High-Card”, “Low-Card” and table games such as “Roulette”, and floor games such as “Slots” and “Craps” in a single deck of fifty-six cards, all at a single table. This is accomplished by randomly printing, in the center of the backs of the cards, the names of each of the above-mentioned games.

For example, some cards will be designated as “Poker” cards, some as “Blackjack” cards, and so on through all the types of casino games. The opposite side of the cards is called the face. The faces of the cards would be printed with consecutive numbers from two (2) to ten (10) and with images from “Jack”, “Queen”, “King” and “Ace”. No suits would be printed on the faces of the cards and, in their place, black printing would replace spades and clubs and red printing would replace hearts and diamonds. This would mimic the red and black markings on the roulette wheel.

The deck of cards is adaptable to both casino operations where players play for monetary rewards or, when combined with a corporate logo on the back of the cards, can also be used as a gift item for non-casino related operations such as hotel chains, cruise lines, automotive manufacturers, insurance companies, etc. Additionally, it can be used in the home for private recreational use where no monetary rewards are included. When incorporated as a table game by a sponsoring casino, the game can be played either with or without a casino dealer.

The novelty and uniqueness of this new deck of cards is that it combines the most popular casino table games and floor games in a single deck of cards and allows casino guests to enjoy all of these games at a single table thus eliminating the need for casino guests to move from a poker table to a roulette table to a blackjack table, in order to enjoy the excitement provided by each of those casino games. Because all of these popular casino games can now be played at a single table, it also provides more effective use of casino floor space. Additionally, because of the extremely fast pace of this new card game, it provides the casino with more revenue over a shorter period of play. For example, the wagering process alone at a roulette table is very time consuming. Add to that the time it takes for the roulette wheel to spin and for the marker to come to rest. Compare that to the nominal time it takes to deal just one black or red card to each player to determine the winner, as provided in the present invention.

When played without a casino dealer, each player would receive five cards. Each individual card has a gaming challenge printed in the center of the card such as “Roulette” “2-Card Poker” “BlackJack” “High Card” and “Low Card” (see FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B). The cards would be dealt face down by one of the players who would have been selected by a high-card draw. The player winning the high-card draw would be known as the “Lead Player”. Then, in a clock-wise direction, beginning with the “Lead Player”, each player would proceed to turn over his top card and proceed to play whatever casino game is randomly indicated on that card such as “Poker”, “Blackjack”, “Roulette” or “High-Card” or “Low-card” (see FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 3A, and FIG. 3B). After each player has had one turn at play, the player with the most cards in his hand is declared the winner and collects whatever is in the pot. Instead of using casino chips as a wager, the casino may prefer to use Slot Cards of a ten dollar ($10) denomination or other nominal denomination. In this case, the Slot Cards could not be redeemed for cash but would have to be used exclusively in actual slot play. The use of Slot Cards provides an additional benefit to the casino since all winnings would eventually wind up in the casino's slot machines.

When played with a Passive Casino Dealer (PCD), the only function of the PCD would be to deal cards and collect wagers from losing players. The PCD would not actively participate in the game by making his own wagers. (The only exception to this rule would occur only if there were less than three players at the table. In this case, the casino dealer would actively participate in the betting). In essence, when there are three or more players at the table, the PCD serves only as the bank to pay the winner of each game according to the amount the winner wagered and to collect wagers from the losers. This is extremely beneficial to the casino since it would be taking no risk and always collecting wagers at each round of play. The PCD would start play by asking the players to place their bets in front of them on the table.

Once the bets are placed, the PCD would then turn up the top card on the deck and place it in the center of the table so that all the players can see what casino game they are about to play. This top card will be known as the “Lead Card” and will have one of the following casino games printed in the center of the card: “Roulette”, “2-Card Poker”, “Blackjack”, “High Card”, “Low Card”, and “Mystery Card” (see FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B, FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, and FIG. 4C). Roulette cards are further distinguished by the fact that some are printed in “Red” (see FIG. 2A) and others in “Black” (see FIG. 2B) to mimic the red and black spaces on a roulette table. As mentioned before, the casino game indicated on the “Lead Card” determines the game that the players will play (“Poker”, “Blackjack”, Roulette“, “High-card”, “Low-Card” or “Mystery Card”. The PCD would then deal one or more cards to the players depending on the type of casino game to be played.

If the game in play is “High-Card” (see FIG. 1A), “Low-Card” (see FIG. 1B), or “Roulette” (see FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B), only one card will be dealt by the PCD to each player to determine the winner. If the game in play is “2-Card Poker” (see FIG. 3B), then two cards need to be dealt to each player by the PCD to determine the winner. If the game is “Blackjack” (see FIG. 3A), then two cards will initially be dealt by the PCD to each player. If a player wants additional cards dealt to him, he must make that known to the PCD by means of the hand signal normally employed in blackjack. The winners then get paid by the PCD according to the amount wagered and the PCD then collect the wagers made by the losers. The casino will determine, prior to the beginning of play, the minimum wager required and the maximum wager permitted at each table. The rules of the various casino games will be described below.

If the “Lead Card” that the PCD deals face down is a “Roulette” card (see FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B), the winning player will be the one who gets dealt a card of the same color (red or black). In case two players have a color ‘tie’, the player with the highest number on the card will be the winner and will be paid by the PCD according to the amount he wagered. In case there is a color ‘tie’ and a numbers ‘tie’, the PCD will deal a second card to each player and the player with the highest number will be the winner. The PCD will pay the winner according to his wager and will collect the wagers from the losers.

If the “Lead Card” that the PCD deals face down is a “Blackjack” card (see FIG. 3B), the PCD will deal two cards to each player face up. If a player wants additional cards, he must make that known to the PCD by means of the hand signal normally employed in blackjack. The winner is the person whose cards either total twenty-one (21) or total more than any other players cards. In case of a ‘TIE’, the winner is determined by a high-card draw. The winner then gets paid by the PCD according to the amount wagered and the PCD will collect the wagers made by the losers. If any player goes over twenty-one, he goes “bust”, is automatically out of play, and the PCD collects his wager. Aces can count either as one (1) or eleven (11).

If the “Lead Card” that the PCD deals face down is a “2-Card Poker” card (see FIG. 3B), the PCD will deal two cards to each player face up. The player with the highest poker hand is the winner and will be paid by the PCD according to his wager. The PCD will then collect the wagers from the losing players. Aces are always the high card in “2-Card Poker”.

If the “Lead Card” that the PCD deals face down is a “High Card” card (see FIG. 1A), the PCD will deal one card to each player. The player with the highest card number is the winner and will be paid by the PCD according to his wager. The PCD will then collect the wagers from the losing players.

If the “Lead Card” that the PCD deals face down is a “Low Card” card (see FIG. 1B), the PCD will deal one card to each player. The player with the lowest card number is the winner and will be paid by the PCD according to his wager. The PCD will then collect the wagers from the losing players.

The face of mystery cards is either imprinted with “Slot Jackpot” or “Craps”. If, at any time during normal game play, the PCD deals a “Mystery Card” (see FIG. 4C) face down on the table, any player, beginning with the player to the left of the dealer, may ‘claim’ that card or ‘pass’ on that card. If a player claims the card, the PCD turns it over and, if it is a “Slot Jackpot” (see FIG. 4A) card, the PCD will immediately pay that person twice the amount of his wager (e.g. If the amount of the bet was ten dollars ($10), the PCD will pay twenty dollars ($20) to the player to whom he dealt the Jackpot card. However, if the card is claimed and turns out to be a “Craps” card (see FIG. 4B), the player claiming that card is automatically out of that round of play and the PCD will immediately collect his wager. If no player claims the “Mystery Card”, it is picked-up by the PCD and reshuffled.

While the card game has been shown and described in detail, it is obvious that this invention is not to be considered as being limited to the exact form disclosed and that changes in detail and construction of the various aspects of the game may be made therein within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A card deck having a plurality of playing cards, each card in the plurality of playing cards comprising a face and a back, wherein:

the back comprises an indication of a game type; and

the face comprises a rank indicator and a color indicator.

14. The card deck of claim 13, wherein the game type comprises one of blackjack, 2-card poker, high card, low card, roulette red and roulette black.

15. The card deck of claim 13, wherein the color indicator comprises one of red and black.

16. The card deck of claim 13, wherein the card deck further comprises a set of mystery cards, wherein the back of each mystery card comprises an indication of mystery card status and each face comprises one of a jackpot indicator and a craps indicator.

17. A method of playing a card game among a plurality of players, the method comprising:

dealing a first card face down such that a game type indicator is visible on a back of the first card;

dealing, to each player among the plurality of players, at least one subsequent card face up such that a rank indicator and color indicator are visible on a face of the subsequent card; and

identifying a winner among the plurality of players based at least partly on the game type indicator and the subsequent cards.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the game type indicator comprises one of high card, low card, roulette red, roulette black, blackjack, and 2-card poker.

19. A method of playing roulette using a deck of playing cards, the method comprising:

dealing an indicator card comprising a color indicator;

dealing, to each of a plurality of players, a play card comprising a rank indicator and a color indicator; and

determining a winner based on a match of the play card color indicator to the indicator card color indicator and the rank indicator.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein determining a winner comprises, iteratively as necessary, when determining that at least two players are associated with a play card having a matching color indicator and a same rank indicator, dealing an additional play card to each of the at least two players and determining a winner based on the rank indicators.

21. A deck of playing cards, the deck comprising:

a set of red cards;

a set of black cards; and

a set of mystery cards.

22. The deck of claim 21, wherein the set of red cards comprises twenty-six cards, each card having a face with a red color indicator and a rank indicator.

23. The deck of claim 22, wherein the set of black cards comprises twenty-six cards, each card having a face with a black color indicator and a rank indicator.

24. The deck of claim 23, wherein the rank indicator comprises one of a 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king, and ace.

25. The deck of claim 24, wherein the set of mystery cards comprises four cards, each mystery card having a face with one of a jackpot indicator and a craps indicator.

26. The deck of claim 25, wherein:

each mystery card has a back comprising an indicator of mystery type;

each care in the set of black cards and each card in the set of red cards has a back comprising a game type indicator that indicates one of a high card, low card, roulette red, roulette black, blackjack, and 2-card poker game.

27. A playing card deck comprising:

a plurality of casino game play modes, each mode specified by a game indicator on the back of a lead card; and

a plurality of card values specified on the front of each of a plurality of play cards, each card value comprising a color and a rank.

28. A method of playing a card game among a plurality of players, the method comprising, iteratively, for each player in the plurality of players:

dealing, face down, a lead card that indicates a game type;

dealing, face up, to each of the plurality of players, at least one play card;

identifying a game winner based at least partly on the game type and the at least one play card; and

identifying an overall winner based at least partly on a number of game wins.

29. A card deck comprising:

a set of twenty-six red cards, each red card comprising a rank indicator and a game type indicator;

a set of twenty-six black cards, each black card comprising a rank indicator and a game type indicator; and

four mystery cards, each mystery card comprising a mystery type indicator and one of a win and lose indicator,

wherein the set of red cards and the set of black cards each comprise two of each rank indicator 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king, and ace.

30. A deck of playing cards, each card comprising:

a game type indicator;

a rank indicator; and

a color indicator.

31. A method of playing a casino card game, the method comprising:

collecting a wager from each player among a plurality of players;

dealing a lead card comprising a game type indicator;

dealing at least one play card to each player;

determining a winner based at least partly on the game type indicator and the play card; and

distributing, to the winner, an amount double the wager.

32. A method of playing a casino card game, the method comprising:

collecting a wager from at least one player;

dealing, face down, a lead card indicating a mystery game type;

displaying a face of the lead card; and

distributing, to the at least one player, an amount triple the wager when the face indicates a win and retaining the wager when the face indicates a loss.