Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into plural hands of cards, wherein each of the hands contains a random arrangement of the same quantity of cards. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack, and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanism and the elevator so that an individual card is moved into an identified compartment. The number of compartments receiving cards and the number of cards moved to each compartment may be selected.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for randomizing and verifying sets of playing cards. Also, the invention relates to a processing providing such an apparatus; feeding to the apparatus one or more cards either after they have been played in a game or from an unrandomized or unverified set of cards; and manually retrieving a verified true set of cards from the apparatus. Also, the invention relates to a process of playing in a casino setting or simulated casino setting, a card game comprising providing such an apparatus, feeding unverified sets of playing cards to the apparatus, and recovering verified true sets of cards from the apparatus.

Abstract: A playing card distribution device with microprocessor and scanning circuits. The device has an enclosure for holding a deck of cards, a displacement means powered by a motor with one or more friction attachments that come into contact with the bottom card and cause it to be displaced, a set of photocells to sample the card indicia, a processor to use the sampled card indicia to determine in which direction (or to which holding receptacle) the card is to be displaced. Operation of the system is controlled by a combination of preprinted program cards, ordinary playing cards, and microswitches.

Abstract: A system for playing card games remotely includes both a multimedia communication system that allows players located remotely from each other to see and hear each other, and a "card toaster" and associated image recognition system at each game site which receives and manages a physical deck of cards at every site at which the game is being played. The toaster has the capability of (1) reading cards, for example, by scanning them, (2) finding particular cards, and, if necessary, sorting them, and (3) distributing cards, such as by dealing them. The system enables the players to deal and then play a game, such as the game of bridge, in a manner which closely approximates the manner in which a game is played when all players are co-located. Thus, once play is started, the image recognition system reads the cards played on a table at any site, and transmits information regarding those cards to the other sites.

Abstract: A card dispenser (32) comprising a body (33) having a compartment (38) for accommodating a stack of cards (39) and at least one outlet (43) through which cards (39) accommodated in the compartment (38) can be dispensed, transporting mechanism (41) provided in the body (33) and arranged to transport a card (39) from the said stack so accommodated towards the said or one of the said at least one outlet (43), and a random device (47) arranged to cause the or some of the cards (39) to be dispensed one by one to a plurality of locations in a random manner.

Abstract: A card dealing and sorting apparatus adapted for use with a conventional deck of cards. The apparatus includes a frame onto which is movably mounted a card holding device. The card holding device holds the deck of cards, the lowermost cards being removed by a card removing device. The removed card falls down an open well where it is directed into a desired card holding compartment by a series of gates which either intercept the falling card or allow it to pass by. The gate position information is encoded on a program strip which is read by a strip reading device, the information being translated to the gates for positioning of the same.

Abstract: A deck of cards is coded by marking each card on its face with a bar code which is essentially invisible to the human eye, but can be read by a detector matched to the source of wavelength of the light used to irradiate each card as it is passed over the surface of a portable housing which houses the detector and the associated reading means. Appropriate hardware is also housed in the housing to process the coded information read. The software provided stores a number of predetermined "hands" which are to be dealt. It can also deal a random deal, more random than can be dealt by human shuffling of the deck. A method is provided to deal a preselected "deal" to a chosen number of players, typically four, the apparatus indicating to the human dealer to which location each card is to be dealt.

Abstract: The device comprises a box receiving the deck of cards to be dealt, upon which a cover presses. Rollers, driven in rotation by a motor reduction unit ensures partial exit of the lower card of the stack to a slot in the device whereas optical reading means read a value code marked on the card. When the value of the card read comes close to the information contained in the memory relative to the deal being made, a visual display device indicates to which player the card pushed out of the deck and partially protruding should be dealt.

Abstract: The device comprises a container for receiving the pack of cards to be distributed, of which the movable bottom is formed by a carriage. This carriage comprises rollers which, when the carriage is moved, drive the lower card of the pack which is isolated by a flange. The pattern of the transported card is read and this information controls the movement of the carriage which releases the card into a determined distribution box. To this end the carriage goes beyond the chosen distribution box while pushing non return springs, then comes back in such a manner that the non return springs immobilize the card above the chosen distribution box into which this card falls by gravity when the carriage has gone away.

Abstract: A method of playing a card game in which desired cards are selected by players. Cards are first read and stored. Players select cards and then cards corresponding to the selected cards are delivered to each player. Selecting and delivering of cards is repeated until each player has a predetermined number of cards. The outcome of the game is then determined. Each card is marked with machine readable indicia so that players may receive cards corresponding to their selection. Null cards having no value in determining the outcome may be used and are deliverd when players select the same card, select a card previously dealt or delivered, or do not select within a time limit. Poker rules may be used to determine the outcome.

Abstract: Playing cards are marked with binary codes adjacent both side edges of the face of each card in a standard deck. The code includes a precode which signals a card reader to read the code in proper bit sequence depending on the direction of card movement past the reader. The binary code includes six bits to represent face value and suit of the card, and a four-bit error detection code which can detect errors of two bits in the code.A deck of coded cards is dealt either manually or automatically according to at least one predetermined program. The coded cards are passed over photocells which read the binary codes on the face of the card. The photocell outputs are sent to a microprocessor, which compares the code to the predetermined program and directs the card to the appropriate player location.

Abstract: A device and method for dealing predetermined bridge hands to facilitate the widespread use of competitive scoring commonly followed in duplicate or tournament bridge by using a conventional deck of playing cards and a programmed device for setting forth different cuts of the deck for the different hands, different deals of the cut deck, and different distributions of the dealt hand so that each player cannot identify the hands dealt to each of the other players for the successive deals. A device for instructional analysis of bidding and playing and for presentation of expected scores and contracts is coordinated with the programmed dealing device.

Abstract: Bridge game for two or three individuals, utilizing a standard, four-suit deck of 52 cards. Prearranged dummy hand is selected without viewing the faces of the cards thereof, and the players are subsequently provided with general information relative to the point count and supporting suits of the dummy hand, from which the strength of the dummy can be combined with that of each bidding player's hand for bidding purposes. If, during bidding, a player bids the Blackwood convention, specific information relative to the number of aces or kings in the dummy hand is also provided. Once bidding is completed, the dummy hand is exposed and play proceeds in the regular fashion of the true game of contract bridge.