Method and apparatus for card printing

Abstract

A printer system and method for printing media during a wagering game is disclosed. The system comprises a print device configured to receive blank media and print the blank media responsive to a request during the wagering game. A map corresponding to at least a suit and a value of at least one playing card of one or more decks of playing cards may be created and stored after receiving the request. Printed media configured as playing cards or coupons may be stored or distributed after printing with the print device during play of the wagering game. The playing cards may also be printed with authorization data. The system may further comprise a discard rack to receive and monitor playing cards discarded during play of the wagering game. Playing cards that are in the discard rack may be destroyed if they are authorized and retained if they are unauthorized.

Description

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to printing playing cards at gaming tables and, in particular, to systems, methods and apparatus for randomly generating playing card data and printing the cards at the gaming table prior to or during game play. 2. RELATED ART [0002] Gambling has become a popular form of entertainment in the United States and in numerous foreign countries. Although numerous wagering events are offered within the casino or other gaming environments, one of the most traditional and popular forms of wagering occurs at table games, which often utilized cards or tiles. As is widely understood, table games often utilize a playing surface, often called a felt, upon which a dealer or other game operator offers a wagering event to one or more players. Blackjack is one of the most common table games. [0003] As compared to slot or video type games, traditional table games offer greater excitement for some players, group play, and often attract big money pl...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] In one embodiment of the invention, a printer system for printing media during a wagering game is disclosed. The system, which may located on or at the gaming table, comprises a print device configured to receive blank or partially printed media. A portion of the printer system is responsive to a request during the wagering game to generate random numbers which are mapped to correspond to at least a suit and a value of at least one playin

Problems solved by technology

As compared to slot or video type games, traditional table games offer greater excitement for some players, group play, and often attract big money players, which can result in large profit margins for the casino.

Thus, dealers or game operators may have difficulty offering the game in the intended manner.

While proposed prior art systems provide potentially accurate monitoring capability, such prior art systems can be undesirably complex and expensive.

Automatic card shufflers with optical scanners that scan the cards may be undesirably complex, may misread cards, or may be prohibitively expensive to lease or buy.

Authorized printed media may be destroyed and unauthorized printed media may be retained.

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