Abstract: Disclosed are a display apparatus, a client, an image display system including the same, and an image display method. The display apparatus includes a communication unit which communicates with at least one client; and a controller which receives server software for displaying a sharing image and at least one personal image from an exterior server, and executes the server software so that the sharing image is displayed on one of the display unit and the at least one client and the at least one personal image is displayed on the other of the display unit and the at least one client.

Abstract: A method and device for conducting a game includes receipt of an ante wager designating either a first game hand or a second game hand for resolution of the ante wager. A first game hand of unexposed playing cards is dealt, and optionally exposed in stages with each stage interceded by an election received from players to either place an additional wager on the same game hand designed by the ante wager or check by proceeding to a subsequent stage without placing an additional wager. After the first game hand is exposed, an election is received to either place an additional wager on the same game hand designated by the ante wager or fold. A second game hand is dealt, exposed, and compared to the first game hand to resolve ante wagers on the respective hands. Optional and/or mandatory bonus wagers may be received on the game hands.

Abstract: A gaming machine that includes a game of chance operable upon a wager by a player, a display, and a plurality of reels associated with the game of chance, wherein each of the plurality of reels include a defined plurality of positions to generate a symbol on the display. The gaming machine further including a processor programmed to provide the game of chance on the gaming machine, determine that at least two symbols generated on one of the plurality of reels are a designated symbol, and based on the determining, lock a position of the one of the plurality of reels for at least one additional generation of symbols on the other of the plurality of reels.

Abstract: A physical playing card gaming system includes a gaming table including at least one dealer position and at least one player position. The system includes a physical playing card handling device that is configured to read at least one of a card rank and card suit of physical playing cards. The system also includes at least one processor in communication with the physical playing card handling device and a video monitor. The at least one processor is programmed to determine the composition of at least one dealer hand and at least one player hand based on the at least one of card rank and card suit read. The at least one processor is programmed to cause game information based on the determined hands to be displayed in response to dealer input. Methods of operating such a physical playing card gaming system include displaying the game information upon dealer request.

Abstract: A video output signal analyzes that analyzes a video output signal to determine game play information. In video poker, card values and player strategies can be determined based on a “reverse encoding” of the video signal to determine the original video bitmap. The bitmap can then be analyzed to determine what is taking place during a game, without having to receive this information directly from the processing unit that is actually implementing the game.

Abstract: A player plays a first round of a casino slot machine game. If the player achieves a winning outcome on the first round of play, the payouts for the next round of play of the casino game will be increased. The amount of the increase is based on the category of the winning outcome on the first round of play. Each subsequent round of play continues to have increased payouts if the player continues to achieve winning outcomes. When the player has a losing outcome, the payouts revert to the base level. An extra wager may be required from the player to activate this feature during the play of the casino game.

Abstract: A random switching game engine for wagering games provides the advantage of switching between game engines in response to a triggering event. The switch engine controls which game engine will present a wagering game to the player. The different game engines may have different odds for presenting a winning outcome to a player. After a triggering event has occurred the switch game engine may utilize a random number generator to randomly determine whether a switch between game engines should occur. The triggering event may comprise the start of a game or any other event. A switch game engine may perform the switch by activating one of multiple game engines. The wagering game may be presented according to the same rules, but with different odds of receiving a winning outcome, to prevent a player from noticing that a switch between game engines has occurred, or different games may be presented.

Abstract: A player plays a first round of a casino game. If the player achieves a winning outcome on the first round of play, the payouts for the next round of play of the casino game will be increased. The amount of the increase is based on the category of the winning outcome on the first round of play. Each subsequent round of play continues to have increased payouts if the player continues to achieve winning outcomes. When the player has a losing outcome, the payouts revert to the base level. An extra wager may be required from the player to activate this feature during the play of the casino game.

Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a display having a display area showing a poker-themed wagering game. A wager input device receives a base wager to play the poker-themed wagering game. A controller is coupled to the display and the wager input device. The controller is operative to provide a plurality of symbol-bearing objects to form a user-playable hand and award a payoff based on a ranking of the user-playable hand meeting a predetermined criterion. The controller may receive a side wager separate from the base wager from the player to trigger a challenge based on meeting a condition in at least one of a predetermined number of future plays of the wagering game. Additional free challenges may be triggered for the predetermined number of future plays.

Abstract: A gaming system, a gaming machine and a method is provided having a Five Card Video Draw poker game with a single hand or multiple hands. The gaming system or gaming machine first determines whether a dream card is going to be used in a particular round of play or a dream card is used on every hand. If the dream card is going to be used, then the last card of the initial hand is chosen so that, when the last card is combined with the other randomly selected cards of the initial hand, the initial starting hand will have the highest possible expected value.

Abstract: A system for conducting gaming includes at least one gaming machine communicating with an award server. Optionally, the gaming machine communicates with the award server via a network server. A game is conducted at the gaming machine. A determination is made whether to issue an award from the award server. In an optional embodiment, the determination is random; in another optional embodiment, the determination is based on the outcome of the game. The award is issued from the award server, at least in part, based on data communicated between the gaming machine and the award server.

Abstract: A bonus event for Blackjack card games is provided. The bonus event has two or more designated bonus element, such as card hands. If one of the bonus elements is achieved as the result of play of a first Blackjack game, the bonus event is triggered. A bonus award is paid to the player if the player receives remaining required bonus elements as a result of the play of additional Blackjack games during the bonus period. The game is preferably played against a dealer at a video Blackjack machine and offers the player the opportunity for awards for each Blackjack game win and one or more additional bonus awards.

Abstract: A card used in a card game includes a code including at least two sets of code elements printed in UV-luminous ink on a surface of the card, the sets of code elements provided on one side of the surface of the card along a reading direction of a code reader.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine employing a free game system which provides an enhanced game element. The gaming machine determines the number of adding free game based on a game number lottery table under the condition that a first symbol is rearranged in the symbol display unit in the free game, and adds a preset number of free game under the condition that a second symbol is rearranged in the symbol display unit in the free game.

Abstract: A gaming system which displays a community game to one or more participating players. During the community game, the gaming system accumulates one or more community game tokens for one or more participating players. The gaming system subsequently assigns a value to each community game token redeemed by each participating player.

Abstract: In a gaming machine having virtual reels, conventional instant wins are awarded as well as virtual playing cards. In one embodiment, the cards are dealt only if a special symbol is displayed on the stopped reels. In another embodiment, cards are dealt only during a bonus round. Dealt playing cards are accumulated until the player has a full hand of cards. A different bonus pot is accumulated for various types of poker hands achievable. The pots may be progressively increased based on a percentage of wagers made in a network of gaming machines. After the player is dealt the full set of cards, the best poker hand is determined, and the associated pot is awarded to the player. The pot is then set at a starting value. The bonus game is then terminated. The player is motivated to continue playing to complete a hand and win a large pot.

Abstract: In various embodiments of this invention, a suite of customized computer software applications, a linked or wireless computer network and accessory components cooperate to enhance and extend customer and employee resource management in the casino/gaming environment.

Abstract: A method of generating and displaying a game of chance on an electronic device to one or more players, wherein each player places a wager on a primary hand of cards dealt from a deck of cards. The player may place an additional wager on one or more Multi-Draw Bonus cards (bonus card). The bonus card provides for a multiplier and/or n additional cards to be dealt in place of the bonus card. The cards for each hand are dealt from a deck of cards using a random number generator.

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.

Abstract: Methods of administering wagering games include accepting at least one of a play wager, a hand comparison wager, and a hand composition wager from at least one participating player and dealing a at least a portion of a player hand to the at least one participating player. The at least one participating player may fold the play wager or place a raise wager and may receive additional cards to form a complete player hand. The at least one participating player may receive a payout for the play wager, the raise wager, and the hand comparison wager for having a point total equal to or lower than either a predetermined point total or lower than a dealer point total and may receive a payout for the hand composition wager when the complete player hand includes at least one ace. Systems, gaming tables, and electronic gaming machines may perform such wagering methods.

Abstract: In accordance with a poker game, a player is dealt a first set of cards, such as 5 cards. The player elects which cards to hold and which cards to discard, if any. Upon discarding any cards, a player is dealt a second set of cards, preferably in the same number as the first set of cards. Subsets of the second set of replacement cards are combined with the cards held from the first set of cards to form final hands of cards. Each final hand is evaluated to determine if it is a winning or losing hand, such as against a standard poker paytable. Awards may be varied depending upon the size of the player's wager and/or the number of cards the player holds/discards from the first set.

Abstract: In various embodiments, USB hubs (USB ports/plug outlets) are attached, thus allowing cellular telephones and other electronic devices to charge for optimal battery life and use. Such embodiments that will comprise of USE hubs and power outlets will include, but are not limited to: gaming machines (slot machines), gaming tables (poker tables), and gaming devices. Implementation of USB hubs and power outlets on gaming tables, machines, and devices accommodates players by providing the necessary power to their electronic devices where then they can charge those devices for a plethora of uses. A myriad of advantageous uses include, but are not limited to: awareness of time, alarms, alerts, calendar appointments, sports updates, and stock/financial market updates, communication via text, email, and voice, listening to music, and so forth.

Abstract: A system and a method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts based on a cash in or initial investment amount are described. In response to a player's initial investment or cash in amount, a payout schedule is selected. The larger the initial investment the better the selected payout schedule for the player. Live games of chance, games of chance facilitated by electronic gaming machines or devices and server-based games may utilize the method shown here. Players may also receive enhanced awards such as enhanced player points based on the amount of the initial investment, or based on other parameters and factors. Awards and bonuses may also be provided to players who exhaust an initial investment exceeding a threshold amount. Other different variations and combinations of the games and winnings are also explained in details.

Abstract: A system and a method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts based on a cash in or initial investment amount are described. In response to a player's initial investment or cash in amount, a payout schedule is selected. The larger the initial investment the better the selected payout schedule for the player. Live games of chance, games of chance facilitated by electronic gaming machines or devices and server-based games may utilize the method shown here. Players may also receive enhanced awards such as enhanced player points based on the amount of the initial investment, or based on other parameters and factors. Awards and bonuses may also be provided to players who exhaust an initial investment exceeding a threshold amount. Other different variations and combinations of the games and winnings are also explained in details.

Abstract: A Blackjack game has a multi-hand feature in which a player may re-use one or more cards from a first hand in additional hands. A Blackjack game may also include a bonus event. The bonus event has two or more designated bonus element, such as card hands. If one of the bonus elements is achieved as the result of play of a first Blackjack game, the bonus event is triggered. A bonus award is paid to the player if the player receives remaining required bonus elements as a result of the play of additional Blackjack games during the bonus period. The game is preferably played against a dealer at a video Blackjack machine and offers the player the opportunity for awards for each Blackjack game win and one or more additional bonus awards.

Abstract: A system and a method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts based on a cash in or initial investment amount are described. In response to a player's initial investment or cash in amount, a payout schedule is selected. The larger the initial investment the better the selected payout schedule for the player. Live games of chance, games of chance facilitated by electronic gaming machines or devices and server-based games may utilize the method shown here. Players may also receive enhanced awards such as enhanced player points based on the amount of the initial investment, or based on other parameters and factors. Awards and bonuses may also be provided to players who exhaust an initial investment exceeding a threshold amount. Other different variations and combinations of the games and winnings are also explained in details.

Abstract: An on-line poker tournament that will conclude within a time period specified by the tournament organizer, or nearly so, regardless of the number of participants. Registered players are forced “all in” for one or more hands of poker until only a predetermined number of players (or fewer) remain. Thereafter, the remaining players are permitted to play against one another in conventional play, until a predetermined time before a designated end time of the tournament. At that time, players are forced all in for each hand until an overall tournament winner is determined. In this way, the tournament completes at the specified end time (or nearly so).

Abstract: A pay line multiplier is randomly selected for each active pay line. The pay line multiplier varies for each round of play. An extra wager may be required from the player to activate this feature during the play of a casino game. A player makes a wager to activate at least two pay lines to be played in the casino game. For each active pay line, a multiplier is randomly selected from a group of various multipliers and the selected multiplier is assigned to the activated pay line. The casino game is then played to achieve an outcome on each pay line. Each pay line that has a winning outcome has any associated award increased by the multiplier for that pay line.

Abstract: A system for providing play in a game includes one or more processors and memory configured to represent two or more users as a single player in an online game. The processor(s) and memory are configured to receive input, via one or more networks, from each of the users, the input relating to how the single player is to play the game; and based on the inputs from the users, determine an action by the single player in the game. The system can make collective play possible in a game that is structured by the game provider for play by individuals.

Abstract: A system and a method of conducting games of chance with enhanced payouts based on a cash in or initial investment amount are described. In response to a player's initial investment or cash in amount, a payout schedule is selected. The larger the initial investment the better the selected payout schedule for the player. Live games of chance, games of chance facilitated by electronic gaming machines or devices and server-based games may utilize the method shown here. Players may also receive enhanced awards such as enhanced player points based on the amount of the initial investment, or based on other parameters and factors. Awards and bonuses may also be provided to players who exhaust an initial investment exceeding a threshold amount. Other different variations and combinations of the games and winnings are also explained in details.

Abstract: A poker machine apparatus has a pay line multiplier that is randomly selected for each active pay line. The pay line multiplier varies for each round of play. An extra wager may be required from the player to activate this feature during the play of a casino game. A player makes a wager to activate at least two pay lines to be played in the casino game. For each active pay line, a multiplier is randomly selected from a group of various multipliers and the selected multiplier is assigned to the activated pay line. The casino game is then played to achieve an outcome on each pay line. Each pay line that has a winning outcome has any associated award increased by the multiplier for that pay line.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a multiplayer card game with multiple fold options and interrelated bonuses. In one embodiment, the gaming system enables a player to input either a first fold input or a second different fold input should the player desire to fold the player's hand during a play of the card game. If the gaming system receives the first fold input from the player, the gaming system: (a) folds the player's hand, (b) automatically removes the player from the virtual table, and (c) automatically assigns the player to a second different virtual table for at least one subsequent play of the card game. If, on the other hand, the gaming system receives the second fold input from the player, the gaming system folds the player's hand and does not remove the player from the virtual table.

Abstract: A gaming machine 10 has a display 14 and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display 14. The game controller is arranged to play a game 16 in which at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display 14. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine 10 awards a prize. When a trigger condition occurs during the playing of a base game, a first feature is awarded that results in a feature prize potentially made up of a plurality of individual prizes. After completion of the first feature, a second feature occurs that enables a player to wager the feature prize for at least one other prize which is independent of a value of the feature prize.

Abstract: A multi-action poker game played via a networked system such a server-based system or global computer network (e.g., the Internet). The poker game generally involves players playing two or more independent poker hands substantially simultaneously at the same virtual poker table. The multiple poker hands are distinguished using distinctive playing cards (and/or card placements) and/or poker chip counts or by multiple representations of the same virtual poker table. Alternatively, a single chip count may be used for each of the at least than two hands.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for game play using virtual players, sometimes referred to herein as vBots, is disclosed. In one aspect, a method for game play involves the use of the system electronic system environment described herein, wherein one or more virtual players are displayed to the player of the game, preferably, the virtual players have differing play characteristics, receiving from the user association with a selection of a virtual player, displaying a simulated game using the virtual players, identifying a subset of the virtual players as being winners of the simulated game, and awarding a win to the lottery user if the selected virtual player is in the subset of virtual players.

Abstract: A poker gaming server configured to support a plurality of connected poker clients and a plurality of connected operator servers, each said poker client being associated with at least one of said plurality of operator servers, said poker gaming server comprising a gaming data feed unit configured for providing a gaming data feed relating to each connected poker client to its respective associated operator servers, a notification unit configured for receiving and forwarding client notifications to a connected poker client from its associated operator server, and an authentication unit configured for authenticating at least one of a plurality of operator specific extension units upon request from a connected poker client.

Abstract: In electronic video poker games, the contents of the deck after the deal of an initial set of cards may be modified to increase or decrease the likelihood of awards when compared to an unmodified deck. Cards may be added, removed, or reordered to alter winning probabilities after an initial set of cards are dealt. In a video poker game embodiment dealt from a standard 52-card deck, when the player holds cards of a single rank (a pair, three-of-a-kind, or four-of-a-kind), the game dynamically adds one or more cards of the held rank to the deck to enable the player to potentially achieve five-of-a-kind.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to multi-player casino games are described. An electronic gaming device is provided that allows a live player to compete against a virtual player in a multi-player wager-based game using playing cards derived from the insertion of a physical denomination of currency. The electronic gaming device can be configured to simulate the decision making of a virtual player and associated behaviors of the virtual player during game play. In some instances, the simulated behaviors of the virtual player output at the electronic gaming device can be learned by a live player so that the live player can make better or more advantageous game play decisions. The simulated behaviors of the virtual player can be conveyed to the live player via visual images, such as simulated facial expressions of the virtual player.

Abstract: Methods, computer readable media and systems related to wagering games, and in particular those that concern providing and redeeming partial game outcomes. One example method 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. This example 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.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for player allocation amongst game sessions such as based on game play style and/or aggressiveness metrics and/or based on desired entertainment-based attributes for one or more sessions.

Abstract: A method, system, gaming apparatus for playing blackjack, poker and baccarat allowing players the option of pre-determining the starting variables from a plurality of starting wagering positions with payouts that substantially correspond with a starting selection or selections.

Abstract: An apparatus and method including a multi-touch interface for card gaming includes providing a multi-touch interface for displaying a card having a hidden value. The method includes detecting a touch on the interface. The touch has a curved pattern with multiple points of contact with the interface. The curved pattern is indicative of the lateral edge of a human hand in contact with the interface, oriented to hide the card from others. The method then detects movement of the multiple points of contact sweeping over a portion of the interface to reveal the value of the card to the user.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a card-based wagering game. The gaming machine includes a wager input device for receiving inputs from a player during the wagering game. The inputs include a wager amount. At least one display is also included in the gaming machine. The display displays a plurality of cards, such that the plurality of cards is arranged in a hand. The hand indicates a randomly selected outcome selected from the plurality of outcomes, which include a qualifying-hand outcome corresponding to a qualifying hand and a plurality of winning hand outcomes corresponding to winning hands. The plurality of winning hands range from a lowest winning hand to a highest winning hand and the qualifying hand is greater than the lowest winning hand. In response to the randomly selected outcome being the qualifying-hand outcome, the gaming machine awards a player a bonus hand.

Abstract: A card game monitor manages play of a game with a video feed of casino table game play. A dealer deals a game using a card-handling device that randomizes and dispenses cards, which may be grouped into sets of hands by the card-handling device. A card recognition system recognizes card information including rank and suit of each card dispensed by the card handling device while each card is under control of the card-handling device. A camera captures a video feed of casino table game play, which is transmitted to a computing device operated by a player. A control system receives the card information from the card recognition device and manages control of the game using hand information associated with players. Player action elections from the computing device are displayed to a dealer The player provides a player action through the computing device, which is used to facilitate play of the casino table game.

Abstract: In various embodiments of this invention, a suite of customized computer software applications, a linked or wireless computer network and accessory components cooperate to enhance and extend customer and employee resource management in the casino/gaming environment.

Abstract: A method of playing a video poker game comprising: inviting a plurality of players to play a video poker game, wherein each participating player plays an individual hand dealt from a separate standard 52 card deck for that participating player; placing a wager to begin play by each participating player, wherein there is at least two participating players; dealing five cards to each participating player face up from the separate standard 52 card deck for that participating player, wherein each participating player may one of hold, fold, or replace any of the five cards; dealing replacement cards to each participating player from the separate standard 52 card deck for that participating player for each participating player who selects to replace any of the five card dealt to that participating player; determining if any of the participating players has a winning wager by verifying if remaining five cards of each participating player matches a poker hand stated on a pay table; and paying each participating playe

Abstract: A method for playing a video poker game comprising: placing a wager to begin play by a participating player; dealing five cards to the participating player face up from a standard 52 card deck for the participating player, wherein the participating player may one of: hold, fold, or replace any of the five cards; and returning a portion of the wager if the participating player decides to fold.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a card game is provided. Players are provided an option to enter one or more tournaments (for real monies or play monies). In an embodiment, a tournament lasts for a predetermined number of hands for a predetermined duration. As an example, a tournament duration may be defined by the number of players who bust out or complete a requisite number of hands by a predetermined date and time, or is defined by a specified number of players who bust out or complete the requisite number of hands. A tournament payout pool is determined based on the number of players who busted out or played in the tournament for a predetermined number of hands and duration.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a system and a method of implementing bad beat insurance are disclosed. After a stage of a portion of a game is played, it is determined that a player is favored to win the portion of the game. After the portion of the game is completed, it is determined that the player has suffered a bad beat. The player is compensated at least partially for a loss that the player incurred as a consequence of suffering the bad beat.

Abstract: As a player has played a game sequence or is in the process of playing a game sequence of an online game such as poker, in which the player has either won or lost the hand, the player may elect to view a coaching or advice video, or to listen to an coaching audio recording, geared towards the specific type of hand or game sequence in which the player is involved. Accordingly, the player may learn from the coaching video or coaching audio as the player is playing the hand, in real time, or after the player has played the hand, to improve the player's proficiency in the game.