Insurance wager in no-limit Texas Hold 'Em poker game

Abstract

A side bet for the poker card game No Limit Texas Hold'em referred to as PokerSurance™ bet. This method allows players to place PokerSurance™ wagers at respective betting areas. The wager is available only for the player with the statistically favorite hand at a stage of the hand where additional cards are forthcoming. It also may be exercised only when a) one or more players are “all-in” on a hand, and b) when this player's PokerSurance™ wager is determined to be appropriate for the player and accepted by the Dealer. A PokerSurance™ side bet acts like an insurance policy on a given hand of poker as it protects the player with the statistically favorite hand from losing all of his/her money on a “bad beat.”

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to the field of card games, particularly wagering card games, particularly poker games in which players play against each other and not against a single dealer or house hand, and most particularly to a variation in the game of No Limit Texas Hold 'Em poker.[0003]2. Background of the Art[0004]The game of Hold 'Em poker or Texas Hold 'Em poker and No Limit Texas Hold 'Em poker has become extremely popular. A Texas Hold 'Em poker game may be described as generally progressing follows.[0005]1) The betting structure can vary. Sometimes antes are used, but most games start with two players to the left of the dealer (going clockwise around the table) placing a predetermined amount of money so there is an initial amount in the pot to get the game started and to assure that players must put some money at risk over the course of a game. The larger wager is referred to as the “big blind” and a smaller...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0020]During play of No Limit Hold 'Em, situations arise where at least one player will go “all-in” and this may occur sometimes when there are some community cards to be dealt. At this stage of the game, the hole cards of all players remaining in the game are exposed, and the remaining community cards dealt out, sometimes in dramatic fashion. When the hole cards of the remaining players are revealed, the relative advantage of each player compared to the other players can be and has been exactly analyzed. This mathematical analysis can be determined at any stage and expressed in specific probabilities. Skilled players and sophisticated software can evaluate the relative probabilities of hands winning to exact percentages. In televised poker games, these percentages are often displayed and these displays are sometimes provided for view by players.

Problems solved by technology

There can be significant tension and disappointment in the play of the game, especially as the winds of fortune change, not only from hand to hand, but also within the play of a single hand as different community cards are revealed.

The occurrence of such vagaries in the play of the game can turn players away from the game and eventually reduce casino profits.

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