System and method for playing an electronic card game

Abstract

A system provides an electronic card game to a plurality of players on an electronic card table. The electronic card table has a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top. Each electronic player interaction area provides a player interface for interaction with one of the players. A database maintains a player account for each player. Each player account includes identification information and a monetary amount. A server computer is coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas and the database for administering the electronic card game using electronic cards and electronic chips. The server computer allows each player to log-in to one of the electronic player interaction areas, draw down at least a portion of the monetary amount in their player account, and purchase electronic chips using the drawn down portion of the monetary amount.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 939,772, filed Sep. 13, 2004, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 610,262 filed on Sep. 15, 2004, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to electronic poker tables and more specifically to electronic poker tables with access to player accounts. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Gaming is an increasingly popular form of entertainment. Games, particularly, games of chance and skill in which one or more players play and place wagers on the outcome thereof may be played in a variety of ways, including at a casino or other venue or on the Internet. Of the various forms of games which are available for play, many are played with playing cards. Of these, poker is arguably the most popular. [0004] Traditionally, poker is played at a table with several playe...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players on an electronic card table is provided. The electronic card table has a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top. Each electronic player interaction area provides a player interface for interaction with one of the players. A database maintains a player account for each player. Each player account includes identification information and a monetary amount. A server computer is coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas and the database for administering the electronic card game using electronic cards and electronic chips. The server computer allows each player to log-in to one of the electronic player interaction areas, draw down at least a portion of the monetary amount in their player account, and purchase electronic chips using the drawn down portion of the monetary amount.

[0011] In a third aspect of the present invention, a method provides an electronic card game to a plurality of players using a plurality of electronic player interaction areas and a server computer. Each electronic player interaction area provides a player interface for interaction with one of the players. The server computer is coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas. The method includes the steps of allowing the players to sign up for a player account, creating a player account for each player in a database, the player account including identification information, allowing each player to fund the account with a monetary amount and associating the monetary amount with the corresponding player account, allowing the players to log-in to one of the electronic player interaction areas, and allowing the players to draw down at least a portion of the monetary amount in their player account and purchase electronic chips using the drawn down portion of the monetary amount.

Problems solved by technology

One of the problems with traditional poker is that it suffers from the possibility of human / dealer error.

Thus, another problem associated with traditional poker games in this context is the training and retention of dealers.

One major drawback of Internet and stand-alone type games is the lack of the human element.

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