Card- Or Tile-type (e.g., Bridge, Dominoes, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/11)
  • Publication number: 20140018137
    Abstract: Some embodiments may relate to a game in which a house takes a rake as a fee for playing a game. A game may include a multiplayer baccarat game that may add a skill element. For example, a baccarat game may add the ability for player's to bluff, choose whether to request cards, raise, fold, and so on. Other example methods and apparatus are described. Some embodiments may include a rake version of Chinese poker. Some embodiments include an open face version of a card game. Some embodiments include a card game with a virtual player position that allows users to play in the virtual player position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: CFPH, LLC
    Inventor: Phillip Flaherty
  • Publication number: 20140018139
    Abstract: A system comprises a client operable to communicate a bet regarding a baccarat game. The system further comprises a controller communicably coupled to the client and operable to determine a result of the baccarat game, the result based at least in part upon one or more digits of at least one financial market indicator at a configurable point in time. The controller is further operable to determine an outcome of the bet based at least in part on the determined result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Dean P. Alderucci, Lee M. Amaitis
  • Patent number: 8616949
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventor: Kazuo Okada
  • Patent number: 8616952
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods, which may utilize bingo mapping gaming options. The systems and methods may include bingo mapping functionality in a Class II environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Cadillac Jack
    Inventors: Brendan Mullins, Donald Rollo, Ray Bornert
  • Patent number: 8616552
    Abstract: An automatic card handling device, automatic card handling devices within a network, and methods of use are disclosed. An automatic card handling device includes a shuffling apparatus with a controller and configured to deliver a set of shuffled cards, and a communication module operably coupled to the controller. The communication module is configured for establishing an electronic communication with a local or world-wide network and thereafter sending and receiving information related to the operation of the automatic card handling device across the network. A network of automatic card handling devices may include a plurality of automatic card shufflers. The network may also include at least one server operably coupled to the plurality of automatic card shufflers. In addition, the server may be operably coupled to a service center through a world-wide network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: SHFL entertainment, Inc.
    Inventors: Zbigniew Czyzewski, Vladislav Zvercov, Attila Grauzer
  • Patent number: 8616965
    Abstract: A gaming machine executing the processing of (A) accepting an input for placing a normal bet; (B) accepting an input for placing a side bet different from the normal bet, (C) starting a card game and displaying a player initial card on a display; (D) determining a result of a side game based on the player initial card, when a side bet has been placed; and (E) offering a first payout based on the result of the side game, advancing the card game to determine a result of the card game, and offering a second payout based on the result of the card game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignees: Universal Entertainment Corp., Aruze Gaming America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yukinori Inamura, Kenta Kitamura, Hiroki Munakata
  • Publication number: 20130344928
    Abstract: Various embodiments include determining a value of a statistic describing cards that have been dealt from a deck, and modifying the rules of a game based on the statistic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Lee Amaitis, Kevin Burman, Manu Gambhir
  • Patent number: 8613670
    Abstract: A mobile networked gaming system wherein a downloadable game client application connects a player to at least one game server (or wireless network), wherein the at least one game table is hosted on said game server. The game server (or wireless network) provides game operations and displays for transmission to the game client application and a display including at least one screen display including at least one lobby screen display from which a player can manually request to be seated at one or more of a plurality of virtual game positions in one or more of a plurality of multi-player or single-player games. Furthermore, a selectable automated seating option is available for automatically seating a player at one or more of a plurality of virtual game positions, wherein a player is directly seated when the player logs-in to the mobile networked gaming system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: PartyGaming IA Limited
    Inventors: Andreas Hartmann, Michael O'Malley, Sander Siezen
  • Publication number: 20130337878
    Abstract: A gaming system including electronic gaming machines (EGMs) compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. EGMs within the gaming system can be configured to establish communications with portable electronic devices. After communications are established, the EGMs can be configured to determine input and output capabilities of the portable electronic devices and instantiate temporary peripherals. A temporary peripheral instantiated on an EGM can be used to send output to the portable electronic device and/or receive input from the portable electronic device. In some embodiments, input from a temporary peripheral can be used to affect a state of a wager-based game played on the EGM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Jeffery S. SHEPHERD, Dwayne R. NELSON, Warner R. COCKERILLE, IV
  • Publication number: 20130337879
    Abstract: A method for providing a payout based on a scattered combination of game cards is described. A plurality of hands of cards is displayed, including at least a first hand of cards and a second hand of cards. Each hand of cards includes one or more card positions. In each hand of cards, a card is placed in each of the one or more card positions. Characteristics associated with each card in the each displayed hand of cards are analyzed. A first card in a first card position in the first hand of cards is combined with a second card in the second hand of cards. A determination is made whether a winning combination of cards is formed by at least the first and second cards in the first and second hands of cards. A payout award is provided based on the winning combination of cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: BLUE CUBE MICROWORKS, LLC
    Inventor: Jay B. Stone
  • Publication number: 20130324203
    Abstract: Methods of administering wagering games comprise accepting a first wager to participate in a first wagering game according to a first set of game rules. A second wager to participate in a second, different wagering game according to a second, different set of game rules is accepted and resolved according to the second set of game rules. An instruction is accepted from each player in whose favor the second wager is resolved to award at least a portion of winnings from the second wager directly to the player or to add at least a portion of winnings from the second wager to the first wager. The first wager is resolved according to the first set of game rules. Games of the present invention may be implemented as live card games, EGM games, multi-player EGM games, on-line games, scratch ticket games and on live card games with electronic betting interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: SHFL ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
    Inventors: Roger M. Snow, Jennifer K. Farrar
  • Patent number: 8596642
    Abstract: A method of playing a domino match is disclosed in which the players of the match play a plurality of domino games, with each game including at least one hand. The players are awarded points throughout the first domino game. The players may risk the awarded points earned throughout the first domino game in a play-by-play side wager against the other players. Players attempt to win the match by being the first player to win two or more games. Additionally, players are rewarded for being the total point winner of the match or tournament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Robinson Watkins, Neal Christopher Allen
  • Publication number: 20130316775
    Abstract: Poker card game deals four cards to a player, four cards to a dealer, and three community cards. Player discards one card and bets 1×-4× ante wager. After a first community card is exposed, player bets 1×-3× ante wager. After a second community card is exposed, player bets 1×-2× ante wager. A final community card is exposed. Dealer reveals dealer's best five-card poker hand formed from any of dealer's four cards and three community cards, and player reveals player's best five-card poker hand formed from any of player's three cards and three community cards. Highest ranking hand wins. Pays ante wagers according to a paytable. Pays even money on play wagers. Allows side wager that pays according to a paytable. Played with one deck of cards. Includes card game method, device-readable storage medium containing device-executable code, and device-executable code stored on a device-readable storage medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: SHFL entertainment, Inc.
    Inventor: Todd M. Haushalter
  • Publication number: 20130300062
    Abstract: A card game with at least one player comprises receiving at least one draw card bet predicting at least one of suit, denomination, color and card identity of a draw card, drawing a first card from the plurality of cards as the draw card, and evaluating each draw card bet by comparing each draw card bet to the draw card. The card game may further comprise receiving, either before or after drawing the draw card, at least one chaser bet predicting a denomination range for at least one of a set of chaser cards and, after drawing the draw card, drawing a set of cards from the plurality of cards as the chaser cards and evaluating each chaser bet by comparing each chaser bet to the chaser cards. The card game may be played with physical cards or via a computer simulation, and may be played over the Internet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventor: Ryan Moore
  • Patent number: 8579688
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage medium to provide a variation of a video poker game. The video poker game offers the player an ability to view “reveal cards” after the initial deal of five cards. The reveal card(s) show the values of some of the card(s) that are on top of the deck which would be dealt as replacement cards. The player, being able to view these reveal cards, can select his or her cards to hold using a more careful strategy than if the player had no such information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: Geoff Hall
  • Patent number: 8579687
    Abstract: Disclosed in this specification is an electronic board game. In use, a primary game (e.g. a card game) is played until one of the players presses an activation button. The other players attempt to quickly react and press their buttons. The faster they react, the more points the players earn. The initial activation of the timers can be done when that player perceives a predetermined event that occurred during the card game. The player may attempt to bluff the other players by pressing the button without having perceived the event but doing so risks the other players issuing a challenge. In certain embodiments, the cards are selected to help players learn basic skills, such as shapes, colors, or mathematical operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Inventor: David Neveaux
  • Publication number: 20130296008
    Abstract: A playing card system, a deck of playing cards, and a method include playing cards with digital enhancements and electronic ink. Exemplary embodiments of this invention include a system and method to enable traditional playing cards to be embedded with computer chip technology. These new playing cards with embedded chips will then be able to communicate with each other and a central command center that will add an additional element to the gaming experience. The playing cards can include electronic paper or electronic ink that can change the face or the back of the card or display messages to players. In an exemplary embodiment, a handicapping system can be used to teach a player how to play various games or to play more advanced players with assistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventor: Ty Hardison
  • Publication number: 20130296009
    Abstract: Some embodiments may include a poker indexing service. For example, a multi dimensional vector of player performance and/or other data may be determined based on gaming related activity that is input or otherwise captured. Such a vector may be used in various forms to generate a metric or to facilitate wagering and/or other gaming activity. Other methods and apparatus are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: CFPH, LLC
    Inventor: Philip M. GINSBERG
  • Publication number: 20130281173
    Abstract: A game employing user-modifiable game components, such as cards in a collectable card game, employs various features to provide user-modifiability, including sleeves, transparent cards, stickers, and other elements. Electronic versions of the game and various other features are included, including tracking of history associated with such components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Frank Gilson, Cormac Russell, Paul Sottosanti, Randy Buehler, Ramon Arjona, Karl Robert Gutschera, Brandon Anthony Bozzi, Aaron Joel Forsythe
  • Publication number: 20130281172
    Abstract: A card game and a method of playing a card game. There is a dealer and at least one player, who must make a base wager. The dealer deals a hand of three cards to all players, who must then make a further wager in order to participate in play. A trump suit is determined. The dealer leads a card from his hand, and the players try to beat this card by playing a higher card of the same suit, or a trump card. The payout is calculated by a pre-determined formula based on the number of tricks won per player. An optional bonus wagering scheme is disclosed, whereby players can wager on the cards in their hands before having sight of them.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Matthew Bridge
  • Patent number: 8562404
    Abstract: A card game program is executed in a computer device for playing a game using a plurality of cards. The identification information of each card is used to generate a combination of the cards for a game player. The combination of the cards is changed in response to an instruction of the game player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akitoshi Yamada, Hirokazu Uchio, Kenji Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20130273989
    Abstract: A game system comprising a plurality of card rank icons, each card rank icon represents one of a plurality of types of cards. A plurality of case keep icons, each case keep icon represents a number of cards of one rank that have been played in a game, wherein one or more of the case keep icons further comprises a denomination field displaying a denomination of a card associated with the case keep icon and a plurality of status indicators disposed around a periphery of the denomination field. A plurality of wager icons configured to be generated on a user display, each wager icon configured to graphically represent a bet on one or more of the card ranks by overlapping one, two or four of the card rank icons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Christie S. Tyler, Matthew J. Palmer, Travis J. Nash, Yehudi Mercado, Eiso Kawamoto, JR., Craig R. Stewart, Tara W. Packard, Christian L. Straight, Omar Becerra
  • Patent number: 8556697
    Abstract: A gaming device which includes a plurality of sets of interactive player-selectable symbols which are sequentially offered to a player during a game played upon the gaming device. The player may select one or more of the player-selectable symbols to be added to one or more sets of symbols which were initially provided to the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Craig A. Paulsen, Binh T. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8556696
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a puzzle game containing an answer category clue, a letter grid containing multiple letters, numbers or characters, an image, and an answer grid which contains blanks for each letter that will be used to fill-in the correct answer. The game allows a letters from the letter grid to be selected and automatically placed onto the answer grid. Points are awarded if the letter selected is the next available blank in the answer grid. As the player selects a letter from the letter grid, that letter disappears and a portion of an image appears. As additional letters are removed from the letter grid, additional portions of the image are displayed, which provides another clue for the solution to the puzzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Inventors: David L. Hoyt, Stephen Bullock, James Keifer, Kathleen Keifer
  • Patent number: 8556706
    Abstract: A gaming system has at least one display adapted to display a wagering game including the display of a player's hand and a computer opponent's hand in a card-based wagering game, a player input device, and a controller. The controller is operative to award to a player an award from a pay table for a player's hand having a winning combination associated with the pay table, regardless of a rank of the computer's opponent hand relative to the player's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Barney, Darvell Hunt, Brian Manning, Alfred Thomas
  • Patent number: 8556729
    Abstract: In response to a predetermined input operation by a player, item object initial information is produced. The item object initial information is information used for introducing an item object into a virtual game world and controlling the item object in the virtual game world. Then, the item object is introduced into the virtual game world, and controlled in the virtual game world according to a predetermined rule. The item object initial information is transmitted to other video game devices. Each of the other video game devices receives the item object initial information, based on which the video game device introduces the item object into the virtual game world and then controls the item object in the virtual game world according to a predetermined rule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Suzuki, Yusuke Shiraiwa, Katsuhisa Sato
  • Publication number: 20130267288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a network (100) of equipment (10a, 10b, 11) for the game of cards. The network includes a server for controlling the game (10b, 11) and at least one piece of playing equipment (10a), the server and the piece of playing equipment being able to communicate data between them, each piece of playing equipment (10a) including display means (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: Antonio Di Bella
  • Patent number: 8550891
    Abstract: A draw out point system and method. Points may be derived from odds associated with a player winning a hand when the player is subjected to a draw out. For example, if a first player has an 80% chance of winning a hand against a second player once no bets are possible, the first player is awarded 80 points corresponding to the 80% chance of winning responsive to a draw out by the second player. Alternatively, points are based on a value of a pot at the time of the draw out. After the tournament, players may be awarded payouts commensurate with earned points until a draw out pool is exhausted. To fund the draw out pool, players pay an extra tournament fee or portion of the tournament fee may be allocated to a draw out pool. Operators retain a portion of the draw out pool to increase operator revenue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Tru Odds Poker, LLC
    Inventor: James Suttle
  • Publication number: 20130260852
    Abstract: A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. In various embodiments, the game table operates with one or more separate physical input devices, each having one or a plurality of the encoded patterns and each being sized and configured to be placed on top of the game table. The separate physical input devices enable the player to interact with the display/input device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony J. Baerlocher, Kimberly M. Campbell, Christiaan R. Champagne, Dwayne A. Davis, Hans Elias, Damien C. Ennis, Michael P. Khamis, David N. Myers, David M. Palmer
  • Publication number: 20130260851
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for implementing a bonus round of a slot machine game. A plurality of concealed elements are displayed, and a player can reveal each element one by one, until a terminating symbol is revealed. Combinations are formed and a player is awarded a highest combination upon revealing a terminating symbol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Jon Muskin
  • Patent number: 8545301
    Abstract: Duplicate hands are dealt in a remote game of poker or other card game of chance. Simulated cards or game pieces are dealt to players with the order of suits changed for each player. A map is maintained in a computer memory between a reference set of indices corresponding to card suits, and differently-ordered sets of playing suits for dealing in the game. A reference game is maintained at a server computer to track game status according to the reference set of indices. Game play is translated between the reference game and individual playing suits so that players are unaware of the order of suits used for other players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Inventors: Gary Stephen Shuster, Brian Mark Shuster
  • Patent number: 8535137
    Abstract: A method for providing a payout based on a scattered combination of game cards is described. A plurality of hands of cards is displayed, including at least a first hand of cards and a second hand of cards. Each hand of cards includes one or more card positions. In each hand of cards, a card is placed in each of the one or more card positions. Characteristics associated with each card in the each displayed hand of cards are analyzed. A first card in a first card position in the first hand of cards is combined with a second card in the second hand of cards. A determination is made whether a winning combination of cards is formed by at least the first and second cards in the first and second hands of cards. A payout award is provided based on the winning combination of cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Blue Cube Microworks, LLC
    Inventor: Jay B. Stone
  • Patent number: 8535135
    Abstract: A gaming system provides a bonus gaming session that is activated during a play of a five-card draw poker base game when a predetermined plurality of the first set of five cards dealt meets a predetermined criteria, for example at least four of the five cards dealt and held by the player share a common suit. When activated, the gaming system repeats plays of the game in the bonus gaming session until a winning draw poker outcome has been generated. In the bonus gaming session, the card that is not co-suited with the plurality of the held first set of cards is discarded and randomly replaced until a winning five-card hand is generated, upon which the gaming device provides an award. The gaming system provides a correspondingly larger award for a wining flush hand for each additional re-drawn fifth card required to achieve a winning five-card flush hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jason P. Pawloski, Christopher T. Brune
  • Publication number: 20130231168
    Abstract: A method of recording and playing back card play of players in a multi-player card game involving wagering, in which sequential rounds are played in multiple simultaneous tables, and in which, in a round on a table, a first player cannot see all the cards dealt to other players, the method including generating a round review animation illustrating how the first round was played, in which cards dealt to all players of the first round are revealed, and in which game play inputs made by players are indicated. Systems and computer program code are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Kevin William Rogers
  • Patent number: 8523648
    Abstract: A game employing user-modifiable game components, such as cards in a collectable card game, employs various features to provide user-modifiability, including sleeves, transparent cards, stickers, and other elements. Electronic versions of the game and various other features are included, including tracking of history associated with such components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Gilson, Cormac Russell, Paul Sottosanti, Randy Buehler, Ramon Arjona, Karl R. Gutschera, Brandon A. Bozzi, Aaron J. Forsythe
  • Publication number: 20130225251
    Abstract: A primary and secondary game for a wagering gaming machine. In one embodiment, the number of lines wagered or a slot machine makes the player eligible for a bonus game, and a wager made per payline effects how many moves or positions on a meter the player advances upon achieving the bonus triggering symbol or combination of symbols. When the player advances the meter to the end, the gaming device displays a payout event. The payout event can be any type of bonus gaming event that potentially provides an award to the player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: IGT
  • Patent number: 8517826
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described relating to enabling customized gaming to game players. In one embodiment, a method is described, comprising providing a selection of two or more rake options to a first game player via a first gaming terminal, receiving an indication of a selected rake option from the two or more rake options for use during the course of game play by the first game player, and deducting a fee from an account balance associated with the first game player in accordance with the rake option selected by the first game player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Isdgames, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan Hafezi
  • Publication number: 20130217455
    Abstract: Electronic card game devices and methods incorporate progressive jackpot operations controlled by a central server computer. If a system game device is selected by the central server computer to win a progressive jackpot award, the system game device is programmed to display secondary game outcome symbols on playing cards being displayed during game play to indicate winning of the award.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: VEGAS AMUSEMENT, INC.
    Inventor: Julian J. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20130217454
    Abstract: A method for playing an educational card game is provided. The method comprises (a) providing a plurality of cards placed in a deck, wherein each of the plurality of cards comprises at least two unique elements and each of the plurality of cards comprises one element common with other cards of the plurality of cards and randomly assigning a card of the plurality of cards to each of the at least two players; (b) selecting a seed card from the deck by each of the at least two players; (c) placing a card from the plurality of cards between the at least two players; (d) identifying, calling the common element between the card and the seed card and collecting the card by a player of the at least two players, wherein the card is now treated as the seed card; and (e) repeating steps (c)-(d) until the deck is depleted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Joseph F. LaFrance, Diane M. LaFrance
  • Publication number: 20130210510
    Abstract: A server for facilitating real-time betting, wherein the server communicates with clients via a distributed computing network. The server includes a memory storing an operating system, an instruction set, event data related to a sporting event, gambler data related to gamblers participating in a competition based upon the sporting event and site data related to electronic pages associated with the real-time para-mutuel betting. A processor runs the instruction set and communicates with the memory and the distributed computing network. The processor is operative to enroll the gamblers by presenting betting rules associated with the sporting event, collect wagering from the gamblers, accept predictions for discrete events within the sporting event from each gambler and determine a first winner of the competition based upon the predictions. Applications include lotteries with entries received from mobile devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: Guy Mahaffey, Clayton R. Mahaffey
  • Patent number: 8506374
    Abstract: A letter placement game based on solving for missing characters in empty cells in a grid of characters. The grid includes horizontal rows, vertical rows, and subgrids. Each solution character must be singular in its horizontal row, vertical row, and subgrid. Simultaneously some solution characters must also belong to one or more sets of solution characters (for example, one or more words). Clues are provided for each set of solution characters. Typically, each letter placement game has multiple sets of solution characters. The letter placement game thus has dual sets of requirements, one for singularity rules for every solution character and another for the requirements of sets of solution characters (for example, words).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventor: Jefferson W. Cleghorn
  • Patent number: 8506376
    Abstract: Electronic gaming systems with real playing cards and multiple player displays for virtual playing cards and betting images, are described. In one implementation, the exemplary system allows real playing cards to be used in electronic gaming systems that provide multiple video displays for multiple live participants at a gaming table. The system enables play with real playing cards, virtual playing cards, or both. An example system can post virtual images of the cards in play on the participant displays and can also display virtual bets, e.g., wagering chips, on the same displays, while also allowing and tracking real playing cards. The real playing cards provide the look, feel, and action of playing a card game with real cards, while the electronic gaming system provides elements of automation, security, and virtual display of the cards and bets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Digideal Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J Kuhn, Donald Evans, David A Krise
  • Publication number: 20130203476
    Abstract: A method of a baccarat game, in which, in addition to a normal play of the game, a Customer will be given the option to make an additional side bet. Any time a Customer has made a valid side bet wager and a “38” hit/stand game rule is implemented, then the Customer wins according to the posted pay scale payoffs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: James Thomas Kenny
  • Patent number: 8500531
    Abstract: A method of playing a game, comprising (a) providing a plurality of cards, wherein each card has a first side having indicia thereon representative of a first value for each card, (b) placing the cards in a row, the first side of each card not viewable, wherein the row comprises a plurality of positions, wherein each card occupies one of the positions, and wherein each position corresponds to a second value, wherein the second value for each position is determined by counting from either end of the row, (c) revealing the first side of a selected card, (d) determining a subset of valid cards based on the first value of the selected card and the at least one second value of each position, and (e) repeating steps (c) and (d) with subsequently selected cards from the subset of valid cards until the subset of valid cards is empty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Inventor: Christopher Magin
  • Patent number: 8500532
    Abstract: A method performed by a gaming apparatus is provided for handling hand tiles of a virtual player during a tile game. The tile game is played using plural virtual playing tiles from which the hand tiles are drawn. The gaming apparatus stores a preference parameter set associated with the virtual player and including tile points of the respective virtual playing tiles and combination points of various permissible combinations of the virtual playing tiles. During a turn of the virtual player, the gaming apparatus computes priority points of the respective hand tiles according to the preference parameter set, and then, makes the virtual player discard one of the hand tiles that is selected according to the priority points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: XPEC Entertainment Inc.
    Inventor: Eric Chang
  • Publication number: 20130196731
    Abstract: A card game of skill is a network based board game played through an interface with two or more players. The card game of skill may have the same basic rules with regards to winning hands and community cards as Texas Hold'em. Each player in has two hole cards for each hand. Rather than being dealt at random from a deck, the hole cards for each player are selected by the player from a set cards assigned to the player. A master dealer deck may also be maintained during game play and is used to provide community cards. When each player selects their hold cards, the selected hole cards are removed from a master dealer deck. Hence, cards selected by a player as hole cards will not appear as the community cards provided by a dealer for all players to see and use as part of their hand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventor: Norbert Svanascini
  • Publication number: 20130196729
    Abstract: A multivariate poker game is provided. In an implementation, a multiplayer card game offers player-selectable sequences of play, including optional 3-card plays and 5-card plays, all within a single round of the card game. A player's choice can determine how the action branches into different subsequent plays. Each 3-card play and each 5-card play within a single round may give rise to corresponding wagers from a player. Real or virtual cards are dealt facedown to form a 5-card dealer hand and 5-card player hands for each participating player. In one example, play begins with optional 3-card hands blindly selected by each player from the player's facedown cards and resolved against a 3-card pay table.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: DIGIDEAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: DAVID KRISE
  • Patent number: 8496508
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus are described. Some examples include determining cards, determining actions that must be taken by a player according to game rules, game rules that require certain actions to be taken in certain circumstances, determining outcomes of games according to poker rankings of hands of cards, awards to winning players, and/or other desired features. Further embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Howard W Lutnick, Geoffrey M Gelman, Dean P Alderucci
  • Patent number: 8490973
    Abstract: A semi-automatic gaming table system comprises: a gaming table surface, at least one playing card delivery device, the playing card delivery device comprising a card storage area, an internal processor, a card-moving system, a delivery end and a card-imaging system, and a plurality of electronic player interfaces mounted in the gaming table surface that communicate with a game controller, wherein the game controller is programmed to communicate with the internal processor and the player interfaces, to detect at least one condition and respond by instructing the card-handling system to stop delivering cards to the delivery end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: SHFL Entertainment, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Yoseloff, Attila Grauzer, James P. Jackson, Nathan J. Wadds
  • Patent number: 8485880
    Abstract: A card game includes a plurality of rounds playable upon at least one base wager and at least one supplemental wager. Each one of the rounds results in an outcome, where a base award is associated with at least one of the outcomes. A pattern condition is fulfillable when a pattern of the outcomes corresponds to one of a plurality of designated patterns. Different supplemental awards are provided based on the fulfillment of the pattern condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Mark C. Nicely