Device and method for continuously shuffling and monitoring cards for specialty games

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for moving playing cards from a first group of cards into a second group of cards, wherein the second group of cards is randomly arranged or shuffled. The apparatus comprises a card receiver for receiving the first group of cards, a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, the stack generally vertically movable, an elevator for moving the stack, a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack for moving cards one at a time into a selected one of the compartments, another card moving mechanism for moving cards from one of the compartments to a second card receiver and a microprocessor that controls the card-moving mechanisms and the elevator. A count of cards within specified areas of the card handling system is maintained and card handling is halted and all cards counted by adding a count of all cards not within the specified areas to the total of cards counted within the specified areas. The apparatus may use specialty cards to implement games such as roulette or craps, with only one or two cards used to provide the game outcome, and those cards, plus any additional cards removed from the shuffler, being returned to the shuffler prior to beginning any subsequent game plays.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 690,051, filed Oct. 16, 2000 and Titled “DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY SHUFFLING AND MONITORING CARDS” which is in turn a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 060,598, filed 15 Apr. 1998 and Titled “DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUSLY SHUFFLING CARDS.”BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to devices for handling cards, shuffling cards and / or providing groups of cards for play in a game. The cards include cards known as “playing cards” or specialty playing cards. In particular, the invention relates to an electromechanical machine for continuously shuffling cards such as playing cards, whereby a dealer has a substantially continuously readily available supply of shuffled cards for dealing, where groups of cards may be continuously provided for play in games and where cards may be monitored ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0031] An advantage of the present invention is that it provides a programmable card-handling machine with a display and appropriate inputs for controlling and adjusting the machine. Additionally, there may be an elevator speed adjustment and sensor to adjust and monitor the position of the elevator as cards wear or become bowed or warped. These features also provide for interchangeability of the apparatus, meaning the same apparatus can be used for many different games and in different locations thereby reducing or eliminating the number of back up machines or units required at a casino. Since it is customary in the industry to provide free backup machines, a reduction in the number of backup machines needed presents a significant cost savings. The display may include a use rate and / or card count monitor and display for determining or monitoring the usage of the machine.

[0032] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides an electromechanical playing card handling apparatus for automatically and randomly generating a continuous supply of shuffled playing cards for dealing or providing hands or sets of cards for a round of play from the continuous supply of cards. These sets of cards represent hand outcomes that would be displayed to the entire table, not player hands received by the players. Other advantages are a reduction of dealer shuffling time, and a reduction or elimination of security problems such as card counting, possible dealer manipulation and card tracking, thereby increasing the integrity of a game and enhancing casino security.

[0033] Yet another advantage of the card handling apparatus of the present invention is that it converts a single deck, multiple decks, any number of unshuffled cards or large or small groups of discarded or played cards into shuffled cards ready for use or reuse in playing a game. To accomplish this, the apparatus includes a number of stacked or vertically oriented card receiving compartments one above another into which cards are inserted, one at a time, so a random group of cards is formed in each compartment and until all the cards loaded into the apparatus are distributed to a compartment. Upon demand, either from the dealer or a card present sensor, or automatically, the apparatus delivers one or more groups of cards from the compartments into a dealing shoe for distribution to players by the dealer.

[0034] The present invention may include jammed card detection and recovery features, and may include recovery procedures operated and controlled by the microprocessor.

[0035] Another advantage is that the apparatus of the present invention provides for the initial top feeding or loading of an unshuffled or discarded group of cards thereby facilitating use by the dealer. The shuffled card receiving shoe portion is adapted to facilitate use by a dealer.

[0036] An additional advantage of the card handling apparatus of the present invention is that it facilitates and speeds the play of casino wagering games.

Problems solved by technology

From the perspective of casinos, shuffling time reduces the number of wagers placed and resolved in a given amount of time, thereby reducing revenue.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,950,005 (MacDonald) and U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,670 (Cassady et al.) disclose card sorting devices which require specially marked cards, clearly undesirable for gaming and casino play.

However, the Blaha shuffler requires specially adapted cards, particularly, plastic cards, and many casinos have demonstrated a reluctance to use such cards.

The Hoffman patent does not disclose randomly selecting a pocket for delivering each card.

Nor does the patent disclose a single stage process which randomly arranges cards into a degree of randomness satisfactory to casinos and players.

Although the Hoffman shuffler was commercialized, it never achieved a high degree of acceptance in the industry.

Card counters could successfully count cards shuffled in the device, and it was determined that the shuffling of the cards was not sufficiently random.

Although the devices disclosed in the preceding patents, particularly the Breeding machines, provide improvements in card shuffling devices, none describes a device and method for providing a continuous supply of shuffled cards with the degree of randomness and reliability required by casinos until the filing of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 060,598.

It is often an annoyance or a security risk where dice are handled by players and where dice are thrown from the table.

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