Apparatus and method for determining gaming payouts using partial game criteria

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for facilitating play in gaming activities and providing manipulation of payout awards based on partial game criteria. A bonus value such as a multiplier is awarded based on a partial result of the gaming activity, if the partial result corresponds to any predetermined partial result(s). The gaming activity is completed to provide a complete result, and a payout is determined for the complete result. If the partial result corresponds to any of the predetermined partial results, the payout for the complete result is adjusted using the awarded bonus value to provide a final payout.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 634,877 filed Dec. 10, 2004, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates in general to games, and more particularly to apparatuses and methods for facilitating play in gaming activities and providing manipulation of payout awards based on partial game criteria. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Card games such as poker have long been enjoyed as a means of entertainment. The popularity of casino gambling with wagering continues to increase, as does recreational gambling such as non-wagering computer game gambling. In some traditional cardroom poker games, players gather to compete against each other, and place bets that their poker hand will have a higher poker rank than the other players' hands. The highest poker rank in each played hand is the winner of the hand. If bets were made by the players, the winner collects the...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for facilitating play of a gaming activity. The method involves awarding a bonus value based on a partial result of the gaming activity, if the partial result corresponds to any predetermined partial result(s). The gaming activity is completed to provide a complete result, and a payout is determined for the complete result. If the partial result corresponds to any of the predetermined partial results, the payout for the complete result is adjusted using the awarded bonus value to provide a final payout.

[0017] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for facilitating play of a poker game, where resulting hand payout awards are provided for particular resulting hands. Such a method includes correlating one or more particular starting hands with one or more bonus values, and providing at least one starting hand to each of player(s) participating in the poker game. It is determined whether the starting hand(s) of each player matches any of the particular starting hands, and if so, reserving the bonus value corresponding to the matching particular starting hand for use in determining the respective player's total payout award. At least one resulting hand is created for each of the players, and it is determined whether the resulting hand(s) of each player matches any of the particular resulting hands, and if so, awarding the corresponding resulting hand payout award. The resulting hand payout award is increased to arrive at the player's total payout award by increasing the player's total payout award as a function of the respective reserved bonus value. In more particular embodiments, a player may fold prior to receiving some or all of the additional cards used in the creation of the resulting hand.

[0018] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for facilitating play of a poker game. The method involves providing a first paytable of one or more designated starting hands of cards representing a subset of a set of available starting hands of cards. A multiplier is associated with at least some, or all, of the designated starting hands. A player starting hand of cards is provided to a participant of the poker game, and the player starting hand is compared to the designated starting hands to identify whether an associated multiplier is available for the player's starting hand. One or more additional cards are provided for use with the player starting hand to create one or more player resulting hands. A second paytable is provided that identifies a plurality of designated resulting hands and associated payout values. The player resulting hands are compared to the designated resulting hands, and any associated payout values of the player resulting hands that correspond to any of the designated resulting hands are identified. A total payout value is calculated for each of the player resulting hands by multiplying the identified associated multiplier and the identified associated payout values of each of the player resulting hands.

Problems solved by technology

However, when played in their conventional manner, some poker games are not particularly well suited for playing against the house.

For example, the particular manner in which the game is traditionally played may present inherent difficulties in changing the game to a video version or house-banked version.

Further, because other players may not be involved, some of the game excitement may be lost when playing against a dealer or participating in a video version.

For example, “traditional” Hold'em poker implemented in a video poker format arguably does not have the allure of other poker counterpart games.

Another drawback of traditional Hold'em poker when presented in video format is the lack of payout variation.

While player anticipation and excitement is present as to the final hand that may be presented, video presentations generally lack the intra-hand betting interaction and / or other play variations.

Thus, other than the face value of cards (or other symbols / indicia) that leads to the final outcome, player anticipation and excitement at earlier stages of the hand / activity is generally limited or otherwise nonexistent.

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