Card protector and associated methods

Abstract

Disclosed is a card protector for concealing playing cards during a card game and associated methods of use. The card protector functions to prevent common cheating techniques used during a card game, including card marking. The invention described herein also prevents having a poker hand erroneously “killed” by a card dealer or disqualified by an uncouth opponent.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This disclosure relates to a card protector for protecting playing cards from view during a card game, thereby minimizing various forms of cheating or incompliance with predetermined rules of play.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Poker is a card game where each player is dealt two cards face down. Each player is responsible for their own cards. If an opponent knows what the two face down cards are, the player holding the cards is at a significant disadvantage. Therefore, if the backs of certain cards are marked with subtle and / or distinguishable marks (either to the naked eye or via specialized lenses) a cheating player may be able to ascertain what his or her opponents cards are and use it to exploit the game. In addition, without protection, a players cards may be accidentally taken away by a dealer or “killed” if another players' cards inadvertently touch them.[0003]Poker gained popularity at the beginning of the twentieth century, and has gone from being pri...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a card protector that allows players to view their own cards without others seeing them. It also prevents cheating, reduces monetary loss, and identifies hands in play to reduce instances of players playing out of turn. The device keeps the top of the card visible to prevent cheating and provides protection against unintended deaths by a dealer or other player. It also allows card players to easily identify the hands in play while still permitting them to read their own cards through a cut-off corner.

Problems solved by technology

If an opponent knows what the two face down cards are, the player holding the cards is at a significant disadvantage.

In addition, without protection, a players cards may be accidentally taken away by a dealer or “killed” if another players' cards inadvertently touch them.

Unfortunately, another aspect of the game of poker is cheating by players, either individually or in concert.

Therefore, the threat of a hand-mucker or machine player being successful at one of these types of establishments is extremely unlikely.

However, the one type of cheat that a casino or card room has difficulty in stopping with its current security measures is a paper player or card marker.

However, players often act ‘out of turn’ by folding their hands too early, or by calling / raising an opponent's bet because they do not see that another person before them still holds cards.

This problem can also occur when a player attempts to conceal the back of his or her cards with their own hand, if the player suspects that another player is cheating by marking the cards.

However, a poker chip that is ‘in play’ cannot be used to serve as a card protector.

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