Ultimate Outcome Dependant Upon Summation Of Plural Card Or Tile Values (e.g., Blackjack, Etc.) Patents (Class 463/12)
  • Publication number: 20120190419
    Abstract: A method is used in combination with a processor and symbol-reading or symbol-providing technology to provide incentives to casino players during playing time of the casino players at games in which quality of strategy of play or quality of wagering strategy is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: WELL SUITED, LLC
    Inventor: Mark L. Yoseloff
  • Patent number: 8221244
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for intelligent tracking and/or play and/or management of card gaming use an intelligent card distribution or holding device with detectors for determining the value and unique identity of individual cards and for recording card play. Playing cards are equipped with a read/write data storage connected to a transponder and/or incorporated into electromagnetic writable particles or smart particles (smart dust). A system of the invention records various game play events on the playing cards themselves during game play and optionally also in a database on the system. In specific embodiments, the principal scanning and writing elements and electronic and optical interfaces are embodied into a hand-held card holder (HHCH). The system can scan playing cards, scan gaming chips, indicate a player's win/loss/draw, increase or decrease player betting positions, and compute awards to players based on their playing activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: John B. French
  • Patent number: 8221215
    Abstract: Described are methods, computer readable media and systems related to wagering games, and in particular those that concern providing and redeeming partial game outcomes. A method according to an embodiment includes receiving a completion request from a player who is operating a gaming device to complete at least one partial game outcome. The partial game outcome was previously provided to the player, who used a first device that is different than the gaming device. The method includes determining that the player is entitled to a complete game outcome, displaying the partial game outcome on the gaming device, determining the complete game outcome, and then displaying the complete game outcome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Robert C. Tedesco, Daniel E. Tedesco, Jeffrey Y. Hayashida, Russell P. Sammon, Stephen C. Tulley
  • Patent number: 8221209
    Abstract: A game of chance is provided in which a wagering game of skill and chance is played electronically automatically according to a predetermined set of rules. Such games of chance may include card games, such as poker and blackjack, or other games, such as dominoes, craps or backgammon. Such games may be reduced to games of chance, removing the element of player skill, and allowing such games to be played outside legal gaming jurisdictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Steven N. Kane, Stuart Roseman, Jason Yanowitz
  • Patent number: 8216041
    Abstract: A method for playing a multiple-play poker game includes the step of displaying a pool hand in the form of a plurality of face up cards. The pool hand is not played, subject to wager, or subject to poker hand rankings. The pool hand is provided solely as a device for designation of none, one or more of the cards of the pool hand as held cards. Preferably, at the time of display of the pool hand and designation of held cards, playing hands are not displayed, keeping the player focused on the selection process. The method continues with reproducing the held cards in a plurality of playing hands, completing the plurality of playing hands with new face up cards, if any, and determining a ranking of each of the completed playing hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Cork Group Trading Ltd.
    Inventors: Francesco Verardi, Michael Paul Novellie
  • Patent number: 8216056
    Abstract: In various embodiments, players around the casino may predict cards to be dealt in a game of blackjack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Howard W. Lutnick, Dean P. Alderucci, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Kevin Burman
  • Publication number: 20120172101
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a game of poker in which player actions are fixed by game rules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Howard W. LUTNICK, Geoffrey M. GELMAN, Dean P. ALDERUCCI
  • Patent number: 8210920
    Abstract: A method and system for playing jackpot and live baccarat games are provided. One feature of the jackpot method involves the use of card combinations that may include, e.g., at least one zero-point card. Another feature of the jackpot method involves initial jackpot contribution from the banker who operates the baccarat game. It is also provided a software program or a set of software program for carrying out any or all the steps of the disclosed gaming method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Inventor: Jay Chun
  • Patent number: 8210533
    Abstract: A gaming system having a five card draw poker game is provided. An initial five card hand is dealt and a first draw card is revealed. The player may keep or discard the first draw card. After the player decides whether to keep or discard the first draw card, the player may replace cards in the initial hand. If the player selects to discard the first draw card, this card is not used as a replacement card to form a final hand. In certain implementations, the player first selects cards in the initial hand to replace. If the player elects to keep the first draw card, the gaming system displays a second draw card and the player may keep or discard the second draw card. This process continues until all discarded cards in the initial hand have been replaced or the player elects to discard one of the draw cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Anthony M. Evans, Mark C. Nicely, John F. Daley, Bryan D. Wolf, Scott A. Caputo
  • Patent number: 8206206
    Abstract: A gaming machine which determines establishment/non-establishment of a shift condition for shifting a game mode from a normal game mode to a special game mode, shifts to the special game mode based on the determination result, and allows an instruction of A player to be inputted thereto, extracts predetermined number of card data to be used in the special game mode, selects a first and a second card data on the gaming machine side and a player side from among the extracted card data, and determines right/wrong of a designating instruction according to a result of comparison between the card data. Upon win, this gaming machine determines establishment/non-establishment of a winning combination based on the extracted card data, and when a winning combination is established, the machine performs payout corresponding to the established combination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Kashima
  • Publication number: 20120149450
    Abstract: A card game in which players compete against a dealer to obtain a poker hand and a 31-point blackjack hand that beats the dealer without busting by exceeding 31 points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: TWO BLACK NINES, LLC
    Inventor: Peter Costa
  • Patent number: 8197319
    Abstract: A gaming system having a multiple hand Blackjack game is provided. The Blackjack game includes four cards initial dealt to the player and four cards initially dealt to the dealer. First, the gaming system sets the four dealer cards to form a first two-card dealer hand and a second two-card dealer hand, according to a set of predetermined rules. Similarly, the player sets the four player cards to form a first two-card player hand and a second two-Card player hand. The gaming system reveals an upward in the first dealer hand and then enables the player to modify the first player according to predetermined Blackjack rules. The gaming device modified the first dealer hand according to predetermined Blackjack rules. If the first player hand beats the first dealer hand, the player wins an award. The gaming device resolved the second player and dealer hands in a similar fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventor: Mark C. Nicely
  • Patent number: 8192277
    Abstract: Table games are enhanced by awarding chances at a bonus. The changes may be awarded based on one or more factors, for example amount wagered, time spent wagering, average wager, and/or skill level. Bonus related information may be provided to the players as a group, or individually, for example via one or more displays. A bonus pool may be formed from all or part of a separate bonus wager and/or part of a conventional wager on the outcome of a game being played at the gaming table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Soltys, Richard Huizinga
  • Publication number: 20120135791
    Abstract: A modified blackjack card game using 6 or 8 decks of standard playing cards without jokers, Craps Blackjack is playing in a live casino game table and electronic device, such as computer, slot machine, video game, etc. and using two steps wagering strategies, win or lose at two initial cards and continue to play or fold the hand. It is a card game combined the playing method of craps, poker and blackjack. It provides optional side bets, dragon's head and phoenix's tail, ace-deuce, ace-ace, any eleven, any seven, and six-six and two main bets, Craps Blackjack and Any Craps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Hui Chuan Chen, Martin Chi Wong
  • Patent number: 8187077
    Abstract: A multiple bonus modifier game includes a base game and two or more base award modifiers operating independently or simultaneously of each other. The multiple bonus modifier game comprises a base game that includes a plurality of spinning reels, a first base award modifier that includes at least one spinning reel, and a second base award modifier that includes at least one additional spinning reel. The outcome of the spinning reels in the base game defines a base game award. The outcome of the spinning reel in the first base award modifier defines a first modifier award, which adjusts the base game award. The outcome of the additional spinning reel in the second base award modifier defines a second modifier award.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Shackelford, Jr., Nathanial Hammond, Dom Tiberio
  • Patent number: 8186682
    Abstract: Methods for providing gaming advice are provided. For example, regarding a blackjack game, one or more first player cards are identified for a first player and one or more second player cards are identified for a second player. The first and second player cards are displayed to the first player. A probability associated with a first one of the plurality of playing options is determined based at least on a set of predetermined statistical blackjack data, the one or more first player cards, and the one or more second player cards. It is then determined, based at least on the determined probability associated with the first playing option, whether to display a first indication corresponding with first advice regarding the first playing option, a second indication corresponding with second advice regarding the first playing option, or a third indication corresponding with third advice regarding the first playing option.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Cantor Index LLC
    Inventors: Lee M. Amaitis, Joseph M. Asher, James C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8181962
    Abstract: A casino wagering game based on the card game of thirty-one. Each player is dealt three cards and the goal is to get as high of a hand as possible. Each player is allowed the option to replace one selected card. A bonus suit can be determined randomly, and if the player's hand is formed using the bonus suit then the player is entitled to playing benefits. The player benefits can include the ability to win on ties as well as receiving bonus payouts on hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Money$uit Industries LLC
    Inventor: Brent Weiss
  • Patent number: 8182321
    Abstract: A method and system for playing jackpot and casino games are provided. The method includes playing a baccarat or felt table game which allows a player to bet on jackpot and includes dealing cards to a player hand and a bank hand, allowing one player to place a bet on live baccarat or felt table game, allowing another player to place a bet on jackpot and determining the outcome of the live baccarat game according to the set of conventional casino game rules, and determining the outcome of the jackpot according to a combination of cards. Winning the jackpot is by from about 5% to about 100% of the jackpot. The system includes a betting terminal for playing the games according to the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventor: Jay Chun
  • Patent number: 8177615
    Abstract: A method of playing a wagering blackjack-type card game on an electronic device wherein the object of the game is to play and win or at least tie both of two player hands against a single dealer hand. Preferably four cards are dealt to each player who has placed a wager, and at least an initial up card for the dealer is displayed. Each player then has the option of forfeiting at least a portion of his wager, or continuing to play. If the player decides to continue playing, the initially-dealt cards are then randomly displayed as two cards in each of two separate player hands. Each player hand is then finalized according to traditional blackjack rules, including doubling, hitting and standing. Each finalized player hand is then compared with a finalized dealer hand, with the winning wagers being determined by a predetermined paytable. A side bet is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Precedent Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Kathleen Nylund Jackson
  • Patent number: 8177614
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage medium to provide a variation of a blackjack game. If the dealer's up-card is of a predetermined card, then the dealer will automatically reveal the dealer's hole card, thereby providing the player with additional information. If the player's initial hand comprises a predetermined hand or hands, then the player can earn a bonus which can be multiplied based on a multiplier associated with the dealer's up-card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Inventor: Geoff Hall
  • Publication number: 20120108307
    Abstract: A gaming system may be operable to store a first set of operational rules for determining a first condition for a primary game, and a second set of operational rules for determining a second condition for a side game that is different from the primary game. Additionally, the system can be operable to randomly or pseudo-randomly generate a combination of graphical symbols in accordance with a play of a casino game and determine one or more first winning conditions or losing conditions for the first game by applying the first set of operational rules to the generated combination of graphical symbols. Further, when the side game is enabled, the system may be operable to determine one or more second winning conditions or losing conditions for the side game by applying the second set of operational rules to at least a portion of the generated combination of graphical symbols.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: XTERRA IP HOLDINGS, LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel Schultz, Ramiro Atucha, Soledad Kobrinsky
  • Patent number: 8162734
    Abstract: A card gaming machine including: an extraction unit for extracting at least a card from among a plurality of the cards with a predetermined kinds of symbols drawn thereon; a display unit for displaying an image of the cards extracted by the extraction unit and dealt to a player as the cards in player's hand; and a control unit for producing image effect on the display unit in response to the deal situation of the cards in player's hand displayed as an image by the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Tomohiro Shinoda
  • Patent number: 8162733
    Abstract: When a free game is finished, a chance game that determines whether or not the free game is executed again is executed. In the chance game, if the number of re-trigger symbols in a symbol display frame 111 of a liquid crystal panel 5B is a predetermined number or more, it is determined that the free game is executed again. In this determination, the number of execution times of a unit game of the free game that is executed again is determined according to the number of the re-trigger symbols.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Kazumasa Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 8157630
    Abstract: A game of skill and chance is provided in which a random element selection device is used to indicate an element a player or computer is to remove from a grid of objects. When a predetermined outcome in the game is obtained, then the player is a winner if the outcome is attained within a predetermined period. A player may play against the odds or may play against other players.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Scientific Games Holdings Limited
    Inventors: Mark E. Herrmann, Steven N. Kane, Stuart Roseman, Jason Yanowitz
  • Patent number: 8152614
    Abstract: Baccarat is executed by placing a bet using a bet screen 70 displayed on a liquid crystal display 10. On the bet screen 70 is provided a bet-with-a-bonus button 201 in addition to an ordinary bet button 75. When the amount of bets is indicated using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201, a card game which is separate from Baccarat is executed as a bonus game subsequent to Baccarat, and the player is awarded a bonus payout based on an outcome of the bonus game. The odds when the amount of bets is indicated using the bet-with-a-bonus button 201 is set to be lower than the odds indicated using only the ordinary bet button 75.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Universal Entertainment Corporation
    Inventor: Kazumasa Yoshizawa
  • Patent number: 8152619
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus are described. Some examples include dealing 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: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Howard W. Lutnick, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Dean P. Alderucci
  • Patent number: 8147311
    Abstract: To suppress easy transmission of information on the hand of a player to another player through an audience when the audience can watch the status of a hand of each player of mah-jongg, a card game, or the like, in a game status presenting device (801), an identifier storing unit (802) stores an identifier of a hand of each player, a first correspondence-table acquisition unit (803) acquires a first correspondence table which associates an identifier with presentation information to be presented to a player, a second correspondence-table acquisition unit (804) acquires a second correspondence table which associates an identifier with presentation information to be presented to an audience, a player presentation unit (805) refers to an identifier stored in the identifier storing unit (802) as a hand of each player and the first correspondence table, and presents presentation information on the hand of the player to each player, and an audience presentation unit (806) refers to an identifier stored in the identi
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shoji Mori
  • Patent number: 8147310
    Abstract: A video poker gaming device, a method of operating a gaming device and a method of playing a poker game including a plurality of cards displayed to a player where the cards are drawn from a deck of fifty-two cards including at least one modifier card. The gaming device deals a first draw of the cards to form a player's hand. Any multiplier cards in the player's hand are replaced by a non-multiplier card. The gaming device enables the player to hold any of the cards in the hand and then determines if any winning card combinations are indicated by the non-multiplier cards in the hand. An award associated with any indicated winning card combinations is provided to the player. The award is multiplied by the multipliers associated with any multiplier cards in the player's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Eugene P. Jarvis, Andrew W. Eloff
  • Patent number: 8147308
    Abstract: Embodiments related to conducting a wagering game according to the rules of a base game includes defining a finite set of game indicia. In some embodiments the player plays multiple sequential game hand by placing a wager, receiving game indicia from the finite set cumulatively excluding any game indicia previously dealt, playing the game hand to completion, collecting the game indicia from the player and excluding the dealt game indicia from further play, and displaying at least the excluded game indicia or any winning combinations precluded by the excluded game indicia. In some embodiments the game hands continue in sequence until a restoration event, which may include a manually triggered restoration or an automatic restoration event, that restores the excluded game indicia. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventor: Mark A. Miller
  • Patent number: 8137174
    Abstract: A gaming device includes a single player poker game that includes one or more opportunities for selecting or forming player hands. In one embodiment, wagers are placed on several player hands, and the gaming device matches these wagers for each of several dealer hands. A play of the game includes one or more opportunities for a player to fold or cancel one of the player hands and withdraw the wager associated with the withdrawn hand. The gaming device may also cause one or more of the dealer hands to be folded. In another embodiment, the game includes dealing several initial player hands and enabling a player to select one of the player hands to compete against one or more dealer hands. In another embodiment, a play of the game includes dealing a plurality of player cards and enabling a player to form multiple player hands from the dealt player cards. The game also includes dealing a plurality of dealer cards and forming multiple dealer hands from the dealt dealer cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Mark C. Nicely, Paul Baker Stroube, Steven Joseph Bazyl
  • Patent number: 8137175
    Abstract: For a race or contest in which a predetermined number of entries compete for winning position wherein for each of the entries respective predetermined odds of winning are given, a method is provided for determining a plurality of wagers wherein each of the wagers is to be placed on a respective one in a subset of the entries. In accordance with such method, initial criteria that all of the wagers must satisfy is established. Next, a maximum wager total being a sum of all of the wagers is determined. Finally, each of the wagers is calculated in accordance with the criteria and the maximum wager total.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Inventor: Ernie Smith
  • Patent number: 8123618
    Abstract: A system for distributing entertaining multimedia episodes and crediting payouts to authorized remote-player's wagers, off-site or on-site regulated premises, comprising a system for randomly selecting episodes, with randomly generated episodes outcomes appended thereto. The selected episodes could be from a database or from ongoing live games. The database could be pre-processed audio-video, from authorized content producers depicting a hired cast of entertainers, playing a selected variety of games of chance and skill. The system includes authorized server based episode and outcome distribution to secure remote-player stations, including an intra-episode biometric (e.g., face) authentication system, and an accounting systems, for rewarding authorized remote-players with products, services, cash and playing credit payouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Inventor: Jayant S. Karmarkar
  • Publication number: 20120040729
    Abstract: The present application discloses methods of playing card games using a standard 52 card deck involving a dealer and one or more players as well as apparatus for simulating these card games. The games are modifications of blackjack employing features of baccarat to overcome deficiencies of both these games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Raphael Mourad
  • Patent number: 8117461
    Abstract: In a gaming environment, a method of periodically downloading dynamically generated executable modules at random intervals that perform system configuration integrity checks in a secure and verifiable manner is disclosed. The dynamically generated executable modules are created on a server machine and are themselves signed using industry standard PKI techniques, and contain randomly chosen subset from a repertoire of proven hashing and encryption algorithms that are executed on the system to be checked to create a unique signature of the state of that system. The dynamically generated executable module returns the signature to the server machine from which it was downloaded and deletes itself from the system being checked. The next time such an executable module is downloaded, it will contain a different randomly chosen subset of hashing and encryption algorithms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Robert Bigelow, Jr., Dwayne A. Davis, Kirk Rader
  • Publication number: 20120032400
    Abstract: A Blackjack variant with a side wagering game includes in some embodiments the steps of: receiving a wager from a player to participate in the Blackjack game; receiving one or more side wagers from a player participating in the Blackjack game, wherein each of the one or more side wagers is associated with a preset criteria relating to cards in a side wager hand to be formed from cards dealt in the Blackjack game; dealing the playing cards according to the Blackjack game rules; identifying a portion of the playing cards dealt as forming the side wager hand; comparing the side wager hand with the preset criteria for each of the one or more side wagers; awarding a payout amount to the player if the player placed a side wager and the corresponding preset criteria for the side wager is satisfied, wherein the payout amount depends at least in part of the preset criteria satisfied; and continuing with the Blackjack game until the game is resolved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Timothy Mumphrey
  • Patent number: 8109817
    Abstract: To provide a game system that enables a degree of difficulty of an occurrence of a predetermined game event to be changed depending on a degree of proficiency of a player in a game in which the predetermined event is made to occur when a controller is operated according to specific procedures. The present invention relates to a game system including one or more controllers. In the game system, a determining unit (52) determines whether or not a criterion operation data string has been inputted from the controller, a game event generation unit (58) generates a predetermined game event according to a result of the determination made by the determining unit (52), and the determining unit (52) changes the criterion operation data string based on a result of a past determination on at least one of the one or more controllers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co, Ltd
    Inventors: Akinori Tamura, Takao Yamagishi
  • Patent number: 8100747
    Abstract: A system and method for conducting a game including a first question and answer round (or alternatively, a physical challenge round) where a contestant can accumulate points and a second auction round where the contestant can bid on lots/prizes with the accumulated points. The system and method provide for presenting at least one of a mental or physical challenge to the at least two players; crediting a predetermined number of points to each of the at least two players based on an outcome of the challenge; auctioning at least one predetermined prized to the at least two players, the at least two players using the credited points to bid for the predetermined prize; and awarding the at least one predetermined prize to one of the at least two players with the highest bid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bobkat Productions, LLC
    Inventors: Kathy Karwat Singer, Christopher Teas, Jay Gissen, William Shapiro
  • Patent number: 8100753
    Abstract: A system and method may provide playing cards which are selected based on a desired set of payout or house odds and/or house advantage. The system and method may display payout odds for respective player positions. The system and method may operate a playing card handling device to provide the playing cards in a random or pseudo-random fashion, based at least in part on the selected payout or house odds and/or house advantage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard Soltys
  • Publication number: 20120015702
    Abstract: Various embodiments of a successive choice game including methods and apparatus are described. Further embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Inventors: Lee AMAITIS, Noel Fuentes
  • Patent number: 8096555
    Abstract: A wagering game, such as Ban-Nag or Blackjack, includes defining a finite set of cards. The player plays multiple sequential game hands by placing a wager, receiving cards from the finite set cumulatively excluding any cards previously dealt, playing the game hand to completion, collecting the cards from the player and dealer and excluding the dealt cards from further play, and displaying at least the excluded cards or any winning combinations precluded by the excluded cards. Optionally, a proposition wager may be offered in each player game hand having an eligible game hand sum in which the player is rewarded if the player game hand reaches a target value. The game hands continue in sequence until a restoration event, which may be manually triggered or automatic, that restores the excluded cards. Optionally, multiple game hands may be dealt simultaneously from a finite set continuously depleted of dealt cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Karaway Gaming
    Inventors: Wayne Odom, O. Karolyn Gee
  • Patent number: 8096864
    Abstract: A gaming system comprises a primary wagering facility which is usable by a player to place an initial wager on a turn of a game of blackjack, and a secondary wagering facility which automatically places a side wager on the same turn of the game of blackjack. The side wager relates to an outcome which is a function of a number of different playing cards contained in the blackjack hand dealt to the player in turn of the game of blackjack. The side wager is paid at odds of at least 2 to 1 if the first dealt card in the player's hand is of a predetermined rank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Waterleaf Limited
    Inventor: Martin Moshal
  • Publication number: 20120009986
    Abstract: A method to implement a blackjack side wager. The player makes a side wager which buys the player a predetermined point total such as 18. The game then continues and the side wager is resolved as if the player's hand for the side wager was 18, using the same blackjack rules as main wager at the table. If the dealer busts or has a final point total less than 18 the player wins the side wager. If the dealer does not bust and has a final point total greater than 18 the player loses the side wager. If the dealer has a final point total equaling 18 then the player pushes the side wager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Hofstein, Jeffrey Kimelman
  • Patent number: 8092301
    Abstract: Games related to the aggregation of information are described. In some embodiments, a method includes determining a set of information about an outcome of an event. Each piece of information may identify a characteristic of the outcome. The method may further include providing a first piece of the information to a first player. The method may further include receiving a wager related to the event from the first player. The method may further include determining if the wager is consistent with the first piece of information. The method may further include requiring a payment for the wager based on the determination of whether the wager is consistent with the first piece of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Dean P. Alderucci, Charles Plott, Mark Miller
  • Patent number: 8087985
    Abstract: Among other things, enabling late bets in a game of Baccarat includes accepting a first bet from one or more participants. Two cards are dealt to each of a player position and a bank position. A player position score and a bank position score are determined based on the two cards dealt to each of the player position and the two cards dealt to the bank position. Based on the determined scores for the player position and the bank position, a determination is made on whether to deal a third card to at least one of the player position and the bank position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventor: Marcus A. Katz
  • Patent number: 8079595
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: CFPH, LLC
    Inventors: Howard W. Lutnick, Stephen M. Merkel
  • Patent number: 8070574
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for detecting, storing, and retrieving information about the composition of present and past hands of cards in a casino table game. The method includes causing a card-handling device to substantially automatically generate a plurality of hands wherein each hand includes one or more cards. Card information is identified that includes a rank and a suit of each card as each card moves through the card-handling device. A play history is maintained of a card composition of more than one round wherein the card composition of each round includes the cards in each hand of each round. The card information of at least one hand from at least one round may be displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, Feraidoon Bourbour, Mark L. Yoseloff
  • Patent number: 8062119
    Abstract: New apparatuses and methods for introducing varying levels of skill into wagering games that have historically been games of luck or strategy are provided. A card value and suit is invisible or hidden to a player initially and associated with a value and suit dealt to the player. The game enables the player to elect to display the associated value and suit. If the player exercises the option, the associated value and suit is displayed and a poker or blackjack evaluation is made based on the displayed associated value and suit. In various embodiments, the same associations are maintained for a single hand or play, multiple hands or plays or on a long term fixed basis. Associated symbols are also implemented with the game of slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Kenneth O. Stern, Richard E. Michaelson, Michael Wishart
  • Patent number: 8062120
    Abstract: A dynamic entertainment playing card having a flexible electronic display and a processor is configured to change state during a card game based on input received by the card during the card game and applied to a set of game rules by the processor. The card display is configured to display changing images on the face of the card during game play according to the changing card state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Inventors: Charles Zapata, Daniel J. Shapiro
  • Patent number: 8038521
    Abstract: A device for automatically calibrating for card size during card handling is disclosed. The device includes a card receiving area, a card stacking area and a card moving system for moving cards from the card receiving area to the card stacking area. An elevator located in the card stacking area has a movable platform for moving a stack of cards, and has a collection surface on the platform. A motor moves the platform within the elevator. At least one sensor senses at least one of a) position of the platform, b) height of the platform, c) position of a card in the elevator, d) height of a card or cards in the elevator, e) pressure applied to a card in the elevator, e) presence of the platform at a predetermined height, f) presence of the platform at a predetermined position, g) presence of card(s) on the platform, and h) absence of card(s) on the platform. A method for calibrating a card handling device during shuffling is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Shuffle Master, Inc.
    Inventors: Attila Grauzer, James B. Stasson, Feraidoon Bourbour
  • Patent number: RE43114
    Abstract: An electronic amusement device and a method for operating the device are disclosed. The device conducts a game of chance that preferably incorporates game elements that change and expire during the game. The device performs the steps of generating and displaying a subject game element having a first class. The step of displaying includes displaying an indicia of the first class. The device further assigns a second class to the subject game element, and displays the subject game element, thereby displaying an indicia of the second class.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Jay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Robert R. Lech