Abstract: A method for playing a card game between a dealer and each of at least one players includes dealing by the dealer, from a deck of cards, a hand of cards to the dealer and to each of the at least one players. At least one card of the dealer's hand is exposed. Each of the players' hands is arranged into a high hand and a low hand. The low hand has fewer player cards than the high hand. The dealer's hand is arranged into a high hand and a low hand. The low hand has fewer player cards than the high hand. An outcome of the card game is determined by comparing the arranged dealer's low hand and the arranged dealer's high hand with the corresponding arranged low and high hands of each of the at least one players.

Abstract: Identifiers are read from playing cards collected after completion of at least one hand of a card game, such as blackjack, and the value of a hand is determined from the resulting sequence of read identifiers (i.e., ending sequence). The playing cards are collected in a defined order, such as from players in order from a dealer's right to left, and finally from the dealer. The cards, and the play of the game, can be validated based at least in part on the ending sequence. Identifiers may also be read from cards before or while dealing the card game to produce an initial sequence.

Abstract: Representative embodiments provide for methods of playing a wagering game of chance, including defining a payout schedule, dealing an initial hand to at least one player, and accepting a final bet from the at least one player so as to define at least one final betting player. Other method steps include dealing one or more community cards, wherein at least one of the community card is selectively combined with at least one card within each initial hand such that a final hand is defined for each final betting player, and awarding a payout to each final betting player holding a final hand that so qualifies in accordance with the payout schedule. Other embodiments provide for respective gaming tables and individual gaming machines including respectively electronic controllers, each controller configured to execute one or more method steps in accordance with the present embodiments provided for herein.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can determine a wagering game in progress for a wagering game session, and determine an electronic playing card that is in use for the wagering game that uses playing cards. The operations can also determine primary content related to the wagering game, and electronically present the primary content on the electronic playing card for use in the wagering game. The primary content can include playing elements (e.g., card ranks and card suits) for the wagering game. The operations can also determine secondary content to be presented on the electronic playing card, and electronically present the secondary content on the electronic playing card during the wagering game session. The secondary content can include wagering games that are different from the primary content (e.g., secondary wagering games that use playing elements other than cards, such as slot games).

Abstract: The present invention extends a slot machine game by providing an initial opportunity to form winning symbol combinations and then, if any winning combinations appear in the symbol matrix, providing one or more subsequent opportunities by removing and replacing the symbols comprising the winning combinations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for playing live casino games. The systems have changeable displays which portray virtual playing cards or symbols to live participants. Shuffling, cutting, dealing and return of playing cards are accomplished using data processing functions within an electronic game processor or processors which enable these functions to be performed quickly and without manual manipulation of playing cards. The invention allows casinos to speed play and reduce the risk of cheating while maintaining the attractive ambiance of a live table game. The systems can also be multi-user slot machines using the processor to associate or assign one or more symbols either with the virtual playing cards or as slot symbols in participant subsets. The participant subsets are compared to a predetermined list so that payoffs can be awarded on the basis of winning symbols or combinations of symbols.

Abstract: Generation of video game photominoes is provided by constructing polyomino game pieces from the salient parts of digital photographic images. Further, generation of jigsaw puzzle photominoes is provided by constructing polyomino puzzle pieces from the salient parts of digital photographic images.

Abstract: Various embodiments of methods and apparatus and systems for playing a simulated card game, such as Texas Hold'em Poker, are provided. One embodiment comprises a method for playing a simulated card game. One such method comprises the steps of: displaying a plurality of entries and at least one of a set of community game elements to a virtual game to a player, each entry including at least two game elements, each game element associated with a game value according to a game rule for the virtual game; receiving a wager from the player, the wager associated with at least one bet type; displaying the remaining of the set of community game elements to the player; and determining whether the wager wins based on the plurality of entries, the at least one bet type, and according to the game rule for the virtual game.

Abstract: A system for allocating loyalty reward points to a player at a gaming area, where the player has a loyalty reward card. The player further being associated with identifiable casino chips each having a radio frequency identification tag. The system has a recording device located in the vicinity of the gaming area for reading and recording the player details on the loyalty reward card, and RFID readers for detecting player casino chips located in play in the gaming area. The RFID reader is operatively connected to the recording device such that at the completion of bet placement the value of player casino chips in play in the gaming area detected by the RFID reader is communicated to the recording device thus enabling the value of bets placed by individual players to be calculated and thereby determining the allocation of loyalty reward points to individual players for the particular bet placement.

Abstract: A card game and method of playing the card game is disclosed. The card game involves placing cards into pre-defined card positions in the form of grids or matrices. For example, a 3×3 grid is filled with nine cards. Game outcome combinations are defined by three horizontal, three vertical and two diagonal pay lines. Another grid arrangement includes a 3×3 grid with each row and column having an extra card position at each end thereof. Accordingly, after the 3×3 grid is filled with random cards, a player may select one or more pay lines after which the two extra card positions are filled. The player is paid for any winning hands formed of the five card defined by the selected pay lines. Countless grid arrangements and pay lines are conceivable. In other versions, the player may replace one or more initially dealt, displayed or otherwise provided cards. The card game and method disclosed herein may be played through an electronic gaming device, over the Internet or at a live gaming table with a dealer.

Abstract: A dominos-style mathematical operation game is provided with a plurality of dominos style type game pieces. Each game piece is defined by a polyhedron with a top and bottom face. Each face is divided into a left and right section with a mathematical operation therebetween.

Abstract: The present invention provides shuffled playing cards which eliminate the need for a game host to shuffle cards before games by taking a lot of time as well as eliminate the possibility of cheating. A shuffled playing cards (1) obtained by shuffling a predetermined number of decks of playing cards (12) using a shuffling machine is packaged as an individual pack. The shuffled playing cards (1) is individually packaged and sealed with an adhesive label (13). A bar code (13a) which represents a unique shuffled card ID has been printed on the adhesive label (13). The shuffled card ID is registered in a database by being associated with information which allows identification of a shuffling machine used to shuffle the playing card set.

Abstract: A card game and video gaming system includes a matrix of card positions in addition to cards dealt for a player's hand. The player may select betting lines or line paths in the matrix to play and set a wager for the selected line paths. Line paths may include a variety of line configurations including rows and/or columns of the matrix. One or more cards may be selected for retention from the player's hand and combined with cards in each of the selected line path of the matrix to form patterns. The matrix may activate card positions or cards depending on line path selections as well as a number of cards selected for retention. A payout may be determined based on the number of patterns formed as well as the type of patterns.

Abstract: A method of managing a card game, a computer implementation thereof, and a card game kit are disclosed. In the method, a plurality of cards are dealt in one or more rounds to a plurality of players, each player receiving one or more cards in each round, with each card bearing a designated value and suit. The values and suits of the cards dealt are recorded in each round. Those values and suits are then revealed to the players during one or more of the rounds to enable the players to wager or withdraw from the game.

Abstract: A method of hosting a press-your-luck challenge includes receiving a stake from a player and iteratively beginning phases of the press-your-luck challenge. Each phase of the press-your-luck challenge comprises dealing an active subset of game items from a set of game items. If the active subset of game items is defeated by an immediately previous subset of game items, the press-your-luck challenge is ended. If the active subset of game items is not defeated by an immediately previous subset of game items, the player is offered a return equal to a total value of the active subset of game items. If the player accepts the return, the player is awarded the return and the press-your-luck challenge ends. If the player declines the return, a subsequent phase of the press-your-luck challenge is begun.

Abstract: The gaming machine of the present invention provides a gaming machine that executes the processing of: determining, for each station, a normal game result based on a player card for the station; accepting via each input device an input for a side bet on a normal game in a station other than the station having this input device; determining, when a side bet is placed, a side game result according to the determined normal game result of the station as the side bet target; and offering a first payout based on the normal game result, and a second payout based on the side game result.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine executing the processing of (A) displaying on the display at least one playing card in a display mode that displays each playing card face down; and (B) changing the display mode of one of the at least one playing card displayed in the processing (A) to a display mode enabling a part of the front of the playing card to be viewable, upon contact on any position within an area of the touch panel corresponding to an area of the display where the one of the at least one playing card is displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming system that can allow a game to be appropriately advanced even by an inexperienced dealer by way of navigating the dealer in game advancement, thereby allowing fraud to be avoided and cost to be reduced. A gaming system 1 gives an instruction to a dealer by operating indicators of card placement areas in which a card is to be placed based on a game advancement program. When a card is placed in a predetermined card placement area, the gaming system 1 reads at least one face of the card being placed by image input devices and determines whether the card is placed in a right place and a right orientation and whether the card is appropriate. After that the abovementioned processing is repeated for a predetermined number of times, a score is calculated based on image data and finally a game result is output.

Abstract: In the gaming machine according to the present invention, an attribute of a card to be compared with an attribute of a player additional card is determined. In a case where a side bet is placed, a result of the side game is determined by determining whether or not the attribute of the player additional card is same as the determined attribute. The additional payout is offered based on the determined result of the side game.

Abstract: A gaming device including a primary game having one or more symbol generators and one or more secondary games associated with the symbol generators. The gaming device activates the symbol generators for a number of activations. When the symbol generator generates one or more predetermined symbols, the gaming device operates one or more of the secondary games associated with the symbol generators. In one embodiment, the gaming device continues to activate the symbol generators until at least one of the symbol generators generates one or more termination symbols, or until there are no activations remaining in the primary game.

Abstract: A tournament gaming system is disclosed including one or more gaming machines programmed for play of at least one tournament game. A plurality of gaming machines may be linked for tournament play by a host computer. Qualification for tournament play is based only upon criteria established only by the gaming operator or without consideration of player desire to participate in the tournament. Game play on at least some of the participating games is tracked and displayed during the tournament, which ends after a player of one of the games achieves predetermined results.

Abstract: A game method wherein values of same-suited cards are aggregated to determine a hand value. A player and/or dealer holding a highest hand value is declared the winner. The game method may be used with dealing and wagering rules associated with known games of chance. For example, a Hold'em game may be played in a traditional manner except that the winner is determined by aggregating hand values for each player holding three or more same-suited cards with the winner holding the hand with the highest valued hand. Blackjack or Baccarat scoring systems may be used to determine hand values.

Abstract: A method of playing correspondence poker over a communications network, having a user interface displaying multiple poker hands simultaneously, so that a player can continue playing some hands while waiting for his/her turn in others. The user interface displays a hand history for each displayed hand, so that the player does not need to memorize the earlier actions in the game but instead can see from the interface what had previously happened in the hand. Players are not required to be connected to a game server when it is not their turn, and when it is their turn they are given a reasonable amount of time to connect to the server and decide on their next moves.

Abstract: A system and method for playing a team gaming tournament that allows players to form teams of one or more players in order to allow a team's performance in a gaming tournament to be dependent on both the performance of each individual member of the team as well as the number of players on each team.

Abstract: A wager manipulation feature for a wagering game is provided. The feature may be implemented after the player's wager is set but before game play takes place, after game play takes place or both simultaneously. If before game play, the feature enables the player to undo or nullify the wager, for example, if the player changes his or her mind or enters a wager incorrectly. If after game play, the feature provides a bonus to the player in which the player may nullify a bet after an unsuccessful outcome or increase the bet to enhance a favorable outcome. In any case, the redo feature can be accumulated in one embodiment and stored and/or restored on a gaming device ticket, player tracking card or promotion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a game for at least one player that includes a set of skill cards, each of which represent a particular skill. A set of mission cards, each representing a particular mission, may also be included. The game further includes an administration means that awards promotion points to each player in accordance to the player's set of obtained skill cards, completed games that each player plays, games won by the player, other completed activities, missions completed based on the mission cards, and playing time. The game is ongoing, with players achieving higher and higher ranks as they are awarded promotion points.

Abstract: A method for implementing a casino wagering game to be implemented with physical cards or electronically using an electronic gaming machine. The player can split his or her hand into two smaller hands and a dealer can split his or her hand into two smaller hands. The player can make numerous wagers, such as whether combinations of the player's two hands and the dealer's two hand will form poker ranks.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method of playing a numerical target card game. After bets are accepted from at least one player, one card may be dealt to the player and a banker. The player may elect to receive one or more hit cards. The banker may receive one or more hit cards according to predetermined rules. If the player receives a hand having a value greater than a numerical target, the player loses. If the value of the banker's hand exceeds the numerical target, every player receiving a hand with a value less than or equal to the numerical target wins. When the values of the banker's hand and the player's hand are both less than or equal to the numerical target, the hand with the highest value wins and the hand is a tie if the value of the banker's hand and a player's hand are equal.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is a method of playing computerized card games against real players at a table. The cards games are usually variations of poker, where the quality of the players' hands is due to skill and strategy rather than the luck of the draw. Players request desired cards from an actual or computerized dealer without knowledge of which cards other players have requested. A null card, which has no value in determining the outcome of the game, is delivered to players who request the same card as another player has requested regardless of whether the card was requested previously or during the current round. In another embodiment, a null card is delivered only when two or more players request the same card during the current round or if a player requests a card that has already been distributed. Each player has a display screen showing that player's hand. The players may make card selections using a touchscreen.

Abstract: A method of playing a game, such as a wagering game, that includes dealing, from a deck of cards, a hand to each player of the game, selecting a community card from the deck of cards, and allowing each of the plurality of player cards to be arranged into a high hand and a low hand. Each player of the game has an option to use the community card in lieu of either one of the player cards in the high hand or one of the player cards in the low hand. In one example, the method further includes receiving a community card ante, or commission, from each of the players in exchange for the option to use of the community card.

Abstract: A method of playing a card-based wagering game. The method comprises conducting the card-based wagering game at a gaming terminal and displaying a plurality of cards arranged in an array. The plurality of cards includes a first set of selectable cards and a first set of non-selectable cards. The non-selectable cards are at least partially protected by others of the plurality of cards. One or more of the selectable cards are selected. A player's hand is created by removing the selected cards from the array, which then creates a second set of selectable cards and a second set of non-selectable cards in the array such that the second set of non-selectable cards are at least partially protected by others of the plurality of cards. It is then determined whether the player's hand is a winning hand.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of dealing out at least one hand of cards. Further, the invention relates to a corresponding system. The method of dealing out at least one hand of cards comprises generating electronic game data comprising at least one hand in means for generating game data; transmitting said electronic game data from said means for generating game data to at least one card dealing module comprising a memory via a first physical and/or wireless communication link; storing said electronic game data in the memory of said at least one card dealing module; dealing said at least one hand of cards via said at least one card dealing module, said at least one hand being dealt in accordance with said electronic game data. In this way, the electronic data generation may be postponed until the moment before a start of a tournament e.g. a bridge tournament. Thereby, the hands to be played in e.g.

Abstract: A system and method of side betting based on burn cards is provided. The method enhances enjoyment of a card game and increases house revenue, without slowing or detracting from the game itself. Before a card gamer round is dealt, players make bets predicting the identity of a burn card hand that will be produced by combining the burn cards of the round. After the round is played, the burn cards are revealed. Winnings are distributed for all bets that meet specified winning requirements. Bets can be placed into a virtual or real side pot to be distributed among winners, or placed directly against the house according to house-established odds.

Abstract: A system and method of conducting a poker game in a manner which contends with bad beats. It comprises the steps of: selecting a distinct percentage (e.g. 70.0% or 80.0%) as a Bad Beat Cutoff %; selecting a specified amount as the Bad Beat Amount; conducting the selected poker game variant in accordance with conventional rules of play; calculating and recording the win probability of each player if an all-in bet occurs; awarding the Bad Beat Amount to any remaining player that lost despite having a win probability greater than the Bad Beat Cutoff % at the point of said all-in bet; and awarding the remainder of each pot to the high hand. By contending with bad beats in all-in situations, the systems and methods disclosed herein will help alleviate bad beat frustration and make poker more enjoyable for many players.

Abstract: A game using tokens bearing a number (N>2) of N-valued attributes, by finding, among tokens in each player's possession alone or in combination with those on a common playing field, groups of N tokens whose attributes, suitably permuted, form lines spanning the N-dimensional cube of NN combinations, and to arrange the playing field to consist entirely of such groups and networks thereof.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a mode information storage section in which first bet mode information corresponding to an normal bet mode and second bet mode information corresponding to a score bet mode are stored, and a terminal-side game control section for running a game on the basis of one, selected by a player, of the first bet mode information and the second bet mode information. Each of the first bet mode information and the second bet mode information is information including plural bet subjects, bet factors for the respective bet subjects, a lower limit bet amount, and an upper limit bet amount. The lower limit bet amount of the first bet mode information is larger than that of the second bet mode information. The maximum value of the bet factors of the first bet mode information is smaller than that of the bet factors of the second bet mode information.

Abstract: Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may be formulated to exploit biases such as long shot bias and favorite bias. Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may be formulated to exploit biases relating to the Monty Hall paradox. Games related to the provision of information are described. Games may include wagering on hands of cards, e.g., poker wagering games.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention provide systems and methods relating to online gaming utilizing virtual playing instruments generated from physical playing instruments. According to one aspect of the invention, physical playing instruments are utilized in a gaming environment that may be scrambled, shuffled, and/or played remotely over a network. In one embodiment, the physical playing instruments are traditional poker-style gaming playing cards. The playing instruments include at least one identifier that may be read upon being dealt, such as identified and stored on a computer-readable medium before a game. In one such embodiment, computer-executable instructions may utilize the information on the computer-readable medium in conjunction with one or more games. Further aspects relate to validating the playing instruments and/or systems before, during, and/or after conducting one or more games with the playing instruments.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to fully automated systems and methods for shuffling and scrambling playing instruments, such as cards, before being dealt to one or more players. In one embodiment, a rotating device is utilized to scramble playing instruments. In yet a further embodiment, the rotating device is coupled with air, vacuum, or combinations thereof to further scramble the cards. The scrambling device may be coupled to an aligning device for realigning the playing instruments upon being adequately shuffled. According to another aspect of the invention, physical cards are utilized in a gaming environment that may be scrambled, shuffled, and/or played remotely over a network. In one embodiment, the physical cards are traditional poker-style gaming cards. The cards include at least one identifier that may be read upon the card being dealt. The identifier may contain information that is remotely communicated to a player.

Abstract: The invention is a method of playing computerized card games against real or virtual players. The cards games are usually variations of poker, where the quality of the players' hands is due to skill and strategy rather than the luck of the draw. Players request desired cards from a computerized dealer without knowledge of which cards other players have requested. A null card, which has no value in determining the outcome of the game, is delivered to players who request the same card as another player has requested regardless of whether the card was requested previously or during the current round. In another embodiment, a null card is delivered only when two or more players request the same card during the current round or if a player requests a card that has already been distributed.

Abstract: A virtual card system provides a card game which is presented in a three-dimensional representation on monitor screens. The system allows human players to play the card game through the monitor screens. The monitor screen may be touch screens which allow the human players to input commands directly. The card game displayed on the touch screen is adapted for graphical manipulation in response to commands from a human player in real time, for instance to bend a card back at the corner to look on the underside.

Abstract: The present invention relates to computer-based multiplayer games that follow the scoring rules of poker in which players select cards from a second deck of playing cards that is composed of cards randomly selected by the software from a first deck of playing cards for each new hand, where the second deck has fewer cards than the first deck. The introduction of a smaller second deck whose composition and size can vary substantially from hand-to-hand, adds a fascinating and challenging puzzle component to the strategy and chance elements of prior card selection games. The use of a prior art deck that remains unchanged allows each player to tend to rely on a predetermined set of fixed card selection strategies. Whereas, the ever-changing, smaller second deck compels each player to formulate his/her card selection strategy anew for each hand, keeping play fresh and exciting.

Abstract: A method of implementing a wagering game. A first hand of cards is dealt on a first row. Cards can be held or discarded by a player. Cards that are held are transformed into a card with a same face value but a different suit and copied into an additional row. Cards not held are replaced in the first row and the additional row.

Abstract: A mahjong gaming apparatus with suit variable mahjong tiles has a server apparatus and multiple player terminal apparatuses. The server apparatus has a server and a random number generator. The random number generator is controlled by the server to randomly generate a suit of a particular mahjong tile. Each player terminal apparatus has at least one suit variable mahjong tile and a player terminal. The suit variable mahjong tile is capable of generating lines corresponding to the suit. The player terminal corresponds to a player, accepts inputs from the player, receives the suit from the server apparatus and controls the suit variable mahjong tile to generate the lines corresponding to the suit. Players may hold the suit variable mahjong tile to feel the lines before uncovering the mahjong tile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a multi-hand card game is disclosed. The game allows the simultaneous play of multiple card hands that are created from a first card hand. Each subsequent card hand includes cards whose rank is a function of the rank of cards in the immediately preceding card hand (or the first card hand). The generation of the subsequent card hands may be based on all cards in the first card hand, or may be restrictively applied only to the hold cards from the first card hand. The hold cards may include wild cards, which generate additional wild cards for subsequent hands that are a function of the rank of the wild cards in the first card hand. The card game may also make an award for a subsequent card hand that is the greater of an award for a second winning combination in the subsequent hand or the award for a first winning combination in a preceding card hand.

Abstract: A poker game offers the possibility of sequential hand play and large payoffs. In one embodiment, a first set of cards is used to form a first poker hand. A draw feature may allow the player to discard cards and obtain replacement cards. If the first poker hand is a predetermined winning set of cards or has a first rank, then the outcome is a winning outcome. Otherwise, the game ends. If the first hand is a winning outcome, the player may be paid winnings or play a subsequent hand in which the player attempts to achieve a hand having a higher rank than the previous hand. If the second hand has a higher rank than the previous hand, the player may be paid winnings or continue playing. In one embodiment, payouts for particular ranks or hands increase as the game continues.

Abstract: A game system for playing a game between a plurality of players, the system comprising: a plurality of matching tile groupings, each one of the matching tile groupings defined by a plurality of tiles having a machine-readable identifier configured to identify its corresponding tile, wherein each one of the matching tile groupings is distinguishable from one another based on a distinct human-readable identifier disposed and viewable only on its bottom surface; a board comprising a plurality of distinct positions for placing each tile; and a scoring brick configured to: maintain each player's score, determine a penalty matching tile grouping and a bonus matching tile grouping, read the machine-readable identifier, and adjust the player's score, wherein the player's score is penalized for a penalty tile, and the player's score is rewarded for a bonus tile or for a predetermined number of consecutively read tiles.

Abstract: A method of operating slot machines permits a machine to be identified as available for team play. Upon being identified for team play, the machine is grouped with other slot machines and subject to bonus conditions dependent on the team play. Bonus conditions typically including selected bonus outcomes and a bonus time period, during which bonus time period all outcomes of the grouped machines are monitored to determine the total bonus outcomes. If the total bonus outcomes of the team meet the bonus conditions within the bonus time period, then a bonus payout is awarded to all of the players. Players are thus encouraged to participate in a social, team environment with others of the team to win the group bonus. The invention is applicable to all slot machines, including video poker machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected video poker hand ranks, and reeled slot machines wherein the bonus outcomes include selected reel outcomes.

Abstract: A method of managing a card game, a computer implementation thereof, and a card game kit are disclosed. In the method, a plurality of cards are dealt in one or more rounds to a plurality of players, each player receiving one or more cards in each round, with each card bearing a designated value and suit. The values and suits of the cards dealt are recorded in each round. Those values and suits are then revealed to the players during one or more of the rounds to enable the players to wager or withdraw from the game.

Abstract: The online poker gaming system comprises a live or recorded poker game, and at least one gaming terminal. The live or recorded poker game involves a group of players sitting around a table. Each player is playing for prize money so there is a cash incentive for each to win. The player terminal displays images of the live or recorded game being broadcast for view by an online player. The player terminal also includes a schematic of the game for presenting in a concise and visual way, the game status and gaming data of the live or recorded game. The player terminal also includes a keypad, enabling the online player to select one or more players to win, and select a value for each selection. So while the online player cannot make gaming decisions—fold, call, check, and raise—the online player can participate by making selections, much as one would make selections at a racetrack. The online player can make multiple playing selections unavailable to the player sitting at the table.