Abstract: Novel methods, devices and systems are described for forming displays and creating environments in a casino. Some implementations of the invention provide configurable gaming machine skins, which may be formed from electronic paper or the like. Casino environments may be created in accordance with a game theme and/or to indicate a group of players. The environment may include configurable surfaces of gaming machines and/or nearby surfaces, such as walls, floors and ceilings. Projected light and/or an audio system may be used to enhance the immersive and dynamic environment. Preferably, some or all of these features may be changed automatically when a game theme changes.

Abstract: Techniques involving awarding subsequent plays using results of previous plays. One representative technique includes dealing a first poker hand to a player, and enabling cards of the first poker hand to be held. Replacement cards are presented for any of the cards that were not held in the first poker hand, thereby creating a first resulting poker hand. All of the cards of the first resulting poker hand are duplicated into a second poker hand, where cards in the second poker hand may again be held/discarded. Replacement cards are presented for any of the cards that were not held in the second poker hand, thereby creating a second resulting poker hand. Duplication into additional hands may also be provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing game features. In a game of chance involving at least one outcome, a plurality of alternative outcomes can be derived for a gaming event, such as when one of the outcomes will provide a payout at or above a certain level. The player is presented with an opportunity to select among the alternative outcomes, without being aware of the particular characteristics or values associated with the outcomes. While the player will only select the outcome having the payout at/above the threshold level a certain percentage of the time, the opportunity can be presented to the player more often, while keeping the mathematical probabilities the same or similar if desired, thereby providing the player with the feeling of getting higher value opportunities more often.

Abstract: A method of playing a variation of Texas Hold'em poker in which each player is dealt three hole cards instead of the usual two. A player sets his three cards into two Texas Hold'em type hands, each having two cards, by selecting from among the three cards one card that is shared with each of the other two cards to form a two-card hand. Except for each player playing two hands, the rules of play are those of a traditional Texas Hold'em game with flop, turn and river board cards, and betting rounds after display of the flop, turn and river board cards. In two variations of the game, the players select their shared cards either prior to or after display of the board flop cards. Also, the shared cards can be opened either at the time they are selected or after the round of betting that follows display of the river card.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated and used to create a video presentation of representative outcomes. The video presentation is recorded onto a tangible medium (e.g., DVD or CD-ROM) or otherwise provided to a player (e.g., player may access the video presentation online). This allows a player to purchase a video presentation of (e.g., predetermined) outcomes in a jurisdiction in which gambling is legal yet view the presentation at the player's convenience (e.g., from any jurisdiction and at any time). A player who purchases such a video presentation may subsequently redeem it for a redemption value associated therewith.

Abstract: A wager gaming machine having software and components allowing for automatic powering on and off (also referred to as remote out-of-band power control) bypassing the need for human operator intervention is described. The gaming machine has a master gaming controller and a network interface. The interface includes an input port supporting a TCP/IP connection which can be used by another network component having the gaming machine's IP address. The gaming machine may also include a Web server operating on the input port. The Web server may receive HTTP messages on the input port even when the gaming machine is powered off. Thus, the machine is capable of receiving an HTTP message at the input port instructing the machine to power on. The gaming machine may also contain a manageability engine processor for executing an active management system software component. This component implements the Web server on the gaming machine.

Abstract: A form of play is disclosed that provides a house advantage in a blackjack side game.

Abstract: A method of playing a Pai Gow Poker game includes the steps of (a) dealing cards to a player and to a dealer; (b) the player and dealer dividing their cards into first and second player hands and first and second dealer hands, respectively; and (c) resolving the game based on a comparison of the first and second player hands with the first and second dealer hands. The resolving step is practiced differently depending on whether one of the first and second player hands includes a Joker or alternatively is below or exceeds a predetermined hand rank.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing participation in gaming activities that involve replacement items, replacement cards, or other draw-type activity. A player is allowed to hold cards (or other items) of a starting hand/payline. Multiple sets of potential replacement cards are provided, from which the player can select the desired set of replacement cards. The selected set of replacement cards is used to complete the player's hand. Multiple hands may be played concurrently.

Abstract: A method of establishing one or more puzzles from candidate deals of a card game such as poker, for supporting an exercise in guessing an opponent's concealed card holdings. The method may use random dealing, archived actual deals, and other manufactured or sourced material to source an inventory of candidate deals. To qualify a deal from the inventory of candidate deals, the method may quantify one or more parameters of a candidate card deal. Quantified parameters may be weighted or otherwise mathematically treated, then evaluated to arrive at a determination of suitability for establishing a puzzle based on the candidate deal. The puzzles may be used as the basis of an exercise or game wherein the participant must guess the nature of concealed card holdings. Where the invention is regarded as the resultant game, guesses may be mathematically quantified to arrive at a score.

Abstract: A gaming machine, such as a video slot or video poker machine, may be configured to provide both in-person and remote play. A command from a remote client device is provided to the gaming machine to initiate a round of gameplay. A result of the gameplay is communicated back to the client device.

Abstract: A system for controlling access to a plurality of games in a skill-based electronic game with (1) an electronic data warehouse server configured to determine a game skill level value of a player in the skill-based electronic game network in accordance with predetermined criteria including game play history, and to (a) store a player protection classification value for the at least one player, and (b) store an access protection classification value for at least one of the plurality of games, the game access protection classification value for the at least one game; and (2) an electronic game server configured to allow or deny the player electronic access to the at least one game based upon a comparison of that player's player protection classification value and the game access protection classification value of the at least one game.

Abstract: A bonusing system allocates bonus awards randomly within a plurality of sets of indicia by inserting a bonus triggering indicia within a subset of the plurality of sets of indicia. Each set of indicia is randomized or shuffled for use in a base game. One of the sets of indicia is randomly selected for use in the base game. During play of the base game, a player is automatically paid a bonus award upon receiving the bonus triggering indicia. If the player achieves a winning outcome at the base game, the player is also paid an award associated with such winning outcome. The bonusing system is configured for use with a variety of wagering games, including video poker, keno and blackjack among others.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a player's action and/or a player's rate of play is provided. In an embodiment, automatic folding hands are provided, wherein the automatic folding hands identify which hands are to be automatically folded. The automatic folding hands may be identified as a list of hands that are not to be played, or a set of hands that are to be played such that if a hand is not in the list it is to be folded.

Abstract: The present invention provides players with fun brought by a moveable component. A gaming machine 1 comprises a game result determination unit, determining a game result; a game execution unit, executing a game in such a manner as to reach the game result; a moveable component, disposed at a position visible from outside, and configured to be capable of mechanical movement; and a movement control unit, enabling the moveable component to move in a movement pattern corresponding to the game result.

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: In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein includes an accumulation sequence and a competition sequence. In one embodiment, the gaming system includes competitor points which determine (i) a competitor's eligibility to participate in the competition sequence and (ii) the competitor's relative probability of success in the competition sequence. In this embodiment, a competitor (which is either representative of an actual player or a virtual, gaming system controlled player) accumulates competitor points during one or more point accumulation sequences which occur in association with designated events. For a subsequent competition sequence, the gaming system determines if a competitor will participate in the triggered competition sequence based on the competitor's accumulated competitor points.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for combining symbols in gaming devices. Accordingly, a gaming device can be configured to display a plurality of game elements each including a game symbol on a game display in response to a game initiation signal. When one or more predefined game conditions are satisfied, the method further includes combining two or more of the game symbols in a single game element. In some instances, one or more of the symbols that left their respective game elements are replaced with additional game symbols. The resulting game grid may then be evaluated to determine prizes associated with winning symbol combinations, including using one or both of the symbols combined in the single game element in the winning symbol combinations.

Abstract: A wagering game system is provided and includes a plurality of gaming terminals, each gaming terminal communicating with a gaming control system configured to conduct a basic wagering game and a group game. The gaming control system is configured to assign at least a portion an award or a wager associated with a gaming terminal to the group game. In the group game, each player's assignment is applied to perform a collecting or building of an object or objects in the group game. Upon satisfaction of a predetermined realization event in the basic wagering game or the group game, an award is awarded for a selected group of objects in the group game at a time of the predetermined realization event.

Abstract: A casino wagering game wherein a player makes a wager and then a dealer and the player are each dealt respective hands. The player and dealer split their respective hand into a high hand and a low hand. Each hand is evaluated to see if it contains a “lucky break” which is a predefined subset of all hands. If the player has a lucky break and the dealer does not, then the player wins. If the dealer has a lucky break and the player does not, then the player loses. If both the player and the dealer have lucky breaks then the wager is resolved based on a comparison of the hands. If neither the player nor the dealer have lucky breaks, then the wager is also resolved based on a comparison of the hands. In addition to physical playing cards, the game can be played using physical Mahjong tiles. The game can also be played in electronic form on a computer, video terminal, portable device, and at an online casino.

Abstract: A method of removing virtual currency from a virtual economy associated with a game is disclosed. A notification is received. The notification indicates that a player of the game has accepted an offer to enable an optional feature of the game in exchange for having a rake performed on winnings of the player. The feature of the game is enabled. It is detected that the player has received the winnings. The rake is deducted from the winnings. The rake is removed from the virtual economy. The player is provided with the remaining winnings.

Abstract: A table game system includes a dealer's game table for performing a table game. A dealer terminal can input game result information of the table game performed on the dealer's game table. A valuable information reading device is provided at a position distant from the dealer's game table, can receive and eject a storage card, and can read and change valuable information stored in the storage card while receiving the storage card. A player terminal is provided to correspond to the valuable information reading device, and can input betting information through reading the valuable information by the valuable information reading device. An administrative server is connected to each of the dealer terminal, the valuable information reading device, and the player terminal via a communication line, and can receive each of the game result information inputted from the dealer terminal and the betting information inputted from the player terminal.

Abstract: A method of simulating a gaming tournament utilizing a plurality of electronic game machines in a quasi-tournament includes the steps of: a) receiving value from a plurality of human users of the electronic game machines, the received value corresponding to a plurality of wagering credits whereby each human user is provided with a plurality of wagering units enabling the human user to participate in the quasi-tournament by playing one or more games on one of the electronic game machines, b) initiating a machine-implemented game on each game machine used in the quasi-tournament, whereby a human user may play the game using the electronic game machine to participate in the quasi-tournament, c) receiving input from the human user via a user interface associated with the electronic game machine to play the machine-implemented game, d) determining an outcome for each machine-implemented game played by each of the plurality of human users using the electronic game machines, e) updating the number of wagering units

Abstract: Some embodiments include a game of poker in which player actions are fixed by game rules.

Abstract: A gaming device provides a single player poker game including one or more opportunities for forming player hands. In one embodiment, for a play of the poker game, a player places a wager on each of a plurality of player hands. The gaming device provides the player with one or more opportunities to fold one or more of the player hands and withdraw the wager associated with the folded hand. A number of community cards are dealt. The gaming device determines and provides any awards associated with a ranking of each of the remaining player hands according to a paytable.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with determining whether a first condition associated with a first player of a gaming device is satisfied, determining whether a second condition associated with a second player of the gaming device is satisfied, and awarding, in the case that both the first and second conditions are determined to be satisfied, a benefit to the first player.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and devices for providing a bingo game having aspects of a non-bingo game such as a Class III game, preferably on a network of gaming machines. Some implementations of the invention provide a bingo game having aspects of a card game, such as a poker game. Some such implementations include a bingo card display in which areas of a bingo card correspond with playing cards. Some implementations of the invention provide bingo cards having more than one bingo number associated with an area of the bingo card. Other implementations of the invention allow a winning pattern, such as an interim win pattern, to be formed from hits on more than one bingo card. For example, a winning pattern may be formed by hits along a corresponding line of multiple bingo cards being played by a single player. Alternatively, a winning pattern may be formed by hits on the same corresponding area of multiple bingo cards being played by a single player.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for increasing potential payout opportunities using multiple card indicia representing multiple cards. One embodiment involves determining whether any one or more of a plurality of cards of a poker game having multiple poker hands are to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia representing multiple cards, presenting the plurality of cards of the poker hands, including the one or more of the plurality of cards determined to be randomly provided with multiple card indicia, and identifying a plurality of resulting hands for each of the multiple poker hands that include a multiple card indicia, where each of the plurality of resulting hands includes a different subset of a total of the indicia of the other cards in the respective poker hand and any cards provided with multiple card indicia.

Abstract: Method and system for playing a poker game that comprises receiving a wager from a player for a hand. Cards a dealt from a deck of cards either in an entirely face-up or entirely face down position. The player progressively selects cards from one or more sets of selection cards. Any selection cards that are not selected are removed. After the hand is completed, a ranking for the player's hand is determined. The player is paid an amount based on the ranking.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine configured to allow play of at least two hands of video poker where the two hands intersect and share a common card between the hands. The electronic gaming machine comprises at least one display device, at least one input device, a memory and at least one computer processor configured to display at least a first hand and a second hand of at least three cards. After the at least two hands are displayed, the player is provided an opportunity to slide the cards in either or both hands to select the common card shared between the two hands to optimize the combination of cards in either or both hands.

Abstract: A wagering game that allows a player to adjust a positive expectation game situation to a lower expectation game situation. In return, the player can increase the paytable so that awards the player wins will be paid at a higher rate. Alternatively, the player can increase the paytable in exchange for a less favorable game state.

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: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include generating game history for each of a plurality of wagering games, associated with a first wagering game title, played by a first player via a wagering game system. The operations can also include randomly selecting, from the game history, a subset of the plurality of wagering games previously played by the first player, and generating a computer bot for the first player, based on the subset of the plurality of wagering games, to be used during a multiplayer wagering game competition to play for the first player. The operations can further include initiating, via the wagering game system, the multiplayer wagering game competition, replaying, during the multiplayer wagering game competition, the subset of the plurality of wagering games using the computer bot, and determining results of the multiplayer wagering game competition.

Abstract: A system for providing a poker-type card game to a plurality of players is described herein. The system includes a display device for displaying the game, a database for storing a plurality of player decks, and a controller coupled to the database. The controller is configured to provide a plurality of player decks with each of the plurality of player decks including a set of randomly-ordered playing cards, assign a player deck of the plurality of player decks to each of the plurality of players, and conduct a first round of the game. During a round, the controller distributes a player hand to each of the plurality of players. Each of the player hands includes one or more cards being distributed from a corresponding player deck assigned to the player.

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 and apparatus for playing a poker-style game including dealing cards to an initial dealer hand with one card face up and one card face down, and dealing cards to an initial player hand. The method may include receiving a further wager from the player that comprises a call wager from the player or a surrender by the player of a fraction of the raise wager, and dealing at least one community card face up. The method may include determining a player hand ranking by forming a best player hand as a subset of the initial player hand and the at least one community card, determining a dealer hand ranking by forming a best dealer hand as a subset of the initial dealer hand and the at least one community card, and comparing the player hand ranking and dealer hand ranking to determine a winner.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gaming system and method providing a draw poker game with auto-hold functionality that takes multiple progressive awards into account and recommends the optimal cards to hold from an initial hand. The draw poker game includes different winning outcomes, different awards associated with the different winning outcomes, and includes a first progressive award associated with a first one of the outcomes and a second progressive award associated with a second one of the outcomes. For each play of the draw poker game, the gaming system displays a first auto-hold recommendation if the first progressive award is greater than the second progressive award, and the gaming system displays a second different auto-hold recommendation if the second progressive award is greater than the first progressive award.

Abstract: A system for computer gaming includes a processor configured to provide a first table of a first group of players grouped together to play a first hand and provide to each of the first group of players one or more cards for the first hand. The system includes an interface couple to the processor and configured to receive from a first player of the first group of players a request to fold the one or, more cards of the first player. The processor is also configured to automatically move the first player to a second table of a second group of players grouped together to play a second hand.

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 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.

Abstract: A gaming system having a game such as 5-Card Draw Poker is disclosed. An initial 5-card hand is dealt and 1 or more possible replacement cards are displayed for each deal card position. If the player chooses to discard one or more dealt cards, each is replaced from an associated set of possible replacement cards. The player makes hold and discard selections with more perfect knowledge of which replacement cards may be drawn at each deal card position.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for an electronic poker game variation comprising generating a first electronic poker hand comprising at least one card and comparing the first electronic poker hand to a set of qualifying hands to identify a qualifying hand. A qualifying hand may comprise a hand one card short of a winning hand. At the conclusion of the game, offering a second chance to win to players with qualifying hands, the second chance comprising generating an extra card, creating a second electronic poker hand selected from the first electronic poker hand and the extra card and applying the winning hands to the second electronic poker hand to identify a second chance winner. The cost of an extra card may be the expected value of the extra card. The second electronic poker hand may be chosen by selecting the hand with the highest value.

Abstract: A gaming machine of the present invention has a memory for, after a predetermined number of cards have been extracted from among a plurality of cards, storing a plurality of predetermined values which serve as a condition for shuffling the plurality of cards. Then, a specific predetermined value is determined as a condition for shuffling a plurality of cards from among the plurality of predetermined values that are stored in the memory. In addition, a game is performed in such a manner that dealer cards and player cards which are used in a game are determined from among the plurality of cards and then the determined cards are compared with each other. Further, the number of cards that is used in the game is cumulatively counted and then the respective used cards are cumulatively stored as used cards in the memory.

Abstract: An electronic video poker machine configured to allow play of multiple hands of video poker. The electronic video poker machine comprises at least one display device, at least one input device, and at least one computer configured to display at least a first hand and a second hand of at least three cards all face up, wherein a computer uses selected hold cards of the first hand to select the best poker hand for a second and subsequent poker hands. If the hold cards from the first hand make the best possible poker hands, they are used to replace one or more selected cards of the second and subsequent hands.

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.

Abstract: During operation of a gaming machine, information about future game outcomes is provided to player-users. A processor of the machine determines outcome(s) of the one or more selected games; stores the outcome(s) on non-transient storage media of the machine; and relays information, through an output device of the machine, about at least one of said outcome(s), before one or more selected games has been played.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein includes an accumulation sequence and a competition sequence. In one embodiment, the gaming system includes competitor points which determine (i) a competitor's eligibility to participate in the competition sequence and (ii) the competitor's relative probability of success in the competition sequence. In this embodiment, a competitor (which is either representative of an actual player or a virtual, gaming system controlled player) accumulates competitor points during one or more point accumulation sequences which occur in association with designated events. For a subsequent competition sequence, the gaming system determines if a competitor will participate in the triggered competition sequence based on the competitor's accumulated competitor points.

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: Various card devices and methods involving card devices are described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth systems, apparatuses and methods for providing game features. In a game of chance involving at least one outcome, a plurality of alternative outcomes can be derived for a gaming event, such as when one of the outcomes will provide a payout at or above a certain level. The player is presented with an opportunity to select among the alternative outcomes, without being aware of the particular characteristics or values associated with the outcomes. While the player will only select the outcome having the payout at/above the threshold level a certain percentage of the time, the opportunity can be presented to the player more often, while keeping the mathematical probabilities the same or similar if desired, thereby providing the player with the feeling of getting higher value opportunities more often.