Automated poker table

Abstract

The automated poker table of the present invention allows for live, face-to-face play of all types of poker games and limits without the need for live dealers, cards or chips. All aspects of the game play may be automated so hands are played faster, and downtime is reduced. The system includes a table, a player subsystem, and a dealer subsystem. The player subsystem includes a touch-screen display terminal for viewing cards dealt to a player, and includes a mechanism for creating a transitional animation for displaying at least a portion of the face of each card. The system may further include a debit and credit subsystem having a kiosk for accepting cash and transferring it to an account associated with the player, and an administrator module having a device for interfacing with an administrator of the system.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 782,173, filed Mar. 13, 2006 incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is directed to an automated poker table that retains the element of live play, while at the same time offering efficiencies of electronic systems for dealing cards and betting. The recent explosion of interest in poker both live and online has created many opportunities to participate in this booming industry. With the recent boom of televised poker and online game rooms, poker is becoming the game of choice for an increasing number of players. [0003] Poker is one of several card games in which multiple players strategically bet against each other, and poker is further subdivided into various types (such as Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and Seven-Card Stud). Many existing casinos and card clubs offer poker of various types wherein up...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] The present invention is directed to an automated poker table configured for live play. The automated poker table of the present invention provides for playing poker at a table with the same amount of player positions as a live game, except there will be no dealer, no chips and every player will have a touch screen. The center of the table will have a large screen for the community cards or “flop.” The automated poker table combines the social, face-to-face experience of live poker with the speed and efficiency of online play. This fully automated system allows for faster play without the need for dealers, cards, chips and additional staffing. In one embodiment of the present invention, there will be ten screens and seats at a table, just like a regular poker table. Other table configurations will follow that will allow placement for space sensitive environments. In addition, the cash handling systems and easy floor / tournament management of the automated poker table of the present invention will fit right into your current operations at a lower cost. An automated kiosk may be used for adding value or cashing out.

[0010] The automated poker table of the present invention may result in a significant increase of more hands per hour dealt in an electronic table compared with a live dealer. Thus, a casino using the automated poker tables would increase their rake and profitability for the same space as well as reduce expenses. All forms of poker will be available on the automated poker table in the cash formats, as well as the tournament formats. Tournaments in terms of multi table or single table satellites will greatly benefit from the efficiencies of an electronic poker table. Accordingly, casinos may easily run more tournaments with practically no employees, to player's delights. Traditional tournaments are very man-hour intensive, require coloring up chips, moving players, all which would be done automatically. Single table satellites for larger tournaments will be easy to run, compared to live play satellites that also require a live staff. An electronic table will combine the efficiencies of electronic poker and deliver the feel of live play into one.

Problems solved by technology

Traditional tournaments are very man-hour intensive, require coloring up chips, moving players, all which would be done automatically.

The problems described herein with existing automated poker systems limit the viability of live-dealer poker in resorts worldwide, despite the underlying growth in popularity.

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