Card game having fixed rule

Abstract

To provide a novel system related to a game.SOLUTION: Some embodiments include a game of a poker in which actions of a player are fixed by a rule of the game.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 688,549, filed May 20, 2007, and entitled "Card Game With Fixed Rules." [Background technology]

[0002] The entirety of said application is incorporated herein by reference. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] This solves the problems of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The problem is solved by the means described in the claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of components for a hand reading system according to some embodiments. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates a game playing device according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] (Detailed Description) In various embodiments, a card game is played between two or more players. The card game may follow one or more of the rules of poker. For example, the card game may follow one or more rules from Texas Hold'em, Draw Poker, Seven Card Stud Poker, Omaha, or any other version of poker. In some embodiments, there may be a dealer. The dealer may be a participant in the game. The dealer may be a non-participant. The dealer may represent a house, e.g., a casino. The dealer may deal cards, enforce the rules, collect and distribute money, and perform any other function. The dealer may be human, mechanical, or electronic. For example, in games played over a network, the dealer may be simulated by a program. In some embodiments, a game begins with a bet from each player. Players are then dealt one or more cards depending on the game. One or more cards may make up a hand. In some embodiments, all cards may be dealt face up so that all players can see them. Although the cards are visible to all players, players may not have any discretion as to how to act. Thus, a first player may not gain an advantage from seeing a second player's cards. In some embodiments, one or more player cards may be dealt face down. Dealing cards should be understood to include physically providing one or more cards, providing an indication of one or more cards, and / or determining (e.g., by a processor) one or more cards. In various embodiments, a first player to act may be designated. This designation may occur randomly. The designation may also rotate through one or more positions per game. In various embodiments, the first player to act may be selected based on the cards dealt to each player. For example, the first player to act may be selected based on the relative hand rankings of the hands dealt to each player to date. For example, the first player to act may be the player with the lowest ranking hand of all players at the table.

[0007] Once the first player to act has acted, a second player to act may be designated. The second player to act may be one position away in a clockwise direction from the first player to act. The second player to act may be one position away in a counterclockwise direction from the first player to act. Thus, action may proceed around the table in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. For example, the second player to act may be one position clockwise from the first player to act, the third player to act may be one position clockwise from the second player to act, etc. In various embodiments, the second player to act may be determined based on cards dealt to the players. For example, the second player to act may be the player with the second lowest poker hand ranking.

[0008] The currently acting player can take one of the following actions, depending on the situation: bet an amount, raise an amount, call, check or fold.

[0009] In some embodiments, a set of game rules dictates what actions a player must take. The rules describe what actions must be taken based on one or more of the following: (a) cards in the player's hand; (b) cards in the player's opponent's hand; (c) community cards; (d) cards in the dealer's hand; (e) the betting history of the game (e.g., the size of the most recent bet); (f) the amount of money remaining to the player; (g) the number of cards to be dealt; (h) the player's table position; or (i) the order in which the players are acting.

[0010] In some embodiments, a player may not have a choice as to whether to take a prescribed action to continue playing a hand - for example, a player may choose to either stop playing the hand (e.g., fold) or take the action, an action may be taken automatically, or the player may be required to take the action without the option to fold, etc.

[0011] In some embodiments, actions prescribed by the set of rules may include actions related to wagers and / or any other type of game action. Actions related to wagers may include any action that affects the wager in a game (e.g., raising, betting, folding, calling, etc.). Other actions may include actions related to the play of a game that do not involve wagers (e.g., hitting, standing, exchanging cards, etc.). In some embodiments, one or more actions taken throughout the play of a hand may result in changes to the cards that make up the hand. The cards that are initially dealt for a hand may be referred to as the initial set of cards. The cards that make up the hand at the end of the game may be referred to as the final set of cards. It should be understood that the initial set and the final set may be the same cards if actions taken do not change the cards, or may be different cards if actions taken do change the cards.

[0012] In some embodiments, an indication of an action prescribed by the set of rules may be provided. Providing such an indication should be understood to include, for example, instructions directing a player to take the action, an indication of an outcome resulting from taking the action, etc. An indication of an outcome, providing an indication of an outcome may include taking the action (e.g., by a computer system, processor, etc.) and / or displaying the outcome through a user interface.

[0013] In some situations, it may be a player's turn to act after a bet or raise has been made by a previous player. The player may then have three actions available to him: fold; call; or raise. In various embodiments, the game rules may prescribe the player's actions according to the ranking of the player's hand. If the ranking of the player's hand is below a first threshold ranking (e.g., if the hand ranking is below one pair), the rules may prescribe that the player must fold. If the ranking of the player's hand is equal to or greater than a second threshold ranking, the rules may prescribe that the player must raise. If the player raises, the player may further have one or more available amounts to raise. The amount of the player's raise may also be prescribe by the ranking of the player's hand. For example, a player may raise a first amount if the ranking of the hand is below a third threshold hand ranking and may raise a second amount if the ranking of the hand is equal to or greater than the third threshold hand ranking. In some embodiments, there may be additional thresholds corresponding to different raise sizes.

[0014] In some situations, it may be a player's turn to act after no bet or raise has been made by a previous player. The player may then have three actions available to him: check; or bet. In some embodiments, the game rules may provide that the player checks if the hand ranking is below a particular hand ranking, and that the player bets if the hand ranking is above a particular hand ranking.

[0015] In some embodiments, a game may be played from start to finish without player discretion. Player decisions may be governed by the game rules. The game may otherwise proceed similarly to poker. At the end of the game, it may be determined which player has the highest ranking poker hand. Such player may then receive the pot. The pot may include all stakes, bets, and raises made during the game, minus any amounts deducted by the house (e.g., as a rake).

[0016] In various embodiments, a cap may be placed on the total amount a player must bet during a game. For example, a maximum of three raises (or X raises) may be allowed per betting round. For example, a maximum of three raises (or X raises) may be allowed per game. For example, a maximum of $15 (or X dollars) may be required in any player's total bet from start to finish of the game. Betting limits or maximums may take precedence over other game rules. In this way, for example, a player can limit his potential losses from a single game.

[0017] In some embodiments, a player must commit a certain amount of money (or gaming chips or other currency) to be used in a game before he or she can participate in a game. For example, if a player is required to bet up to $15 in a game, the player may be required to have $15 committed to play. For example, the player may be required to have $15 gaming chips visible on the game table before play can proceed.

[0018] In some embodiments, the game rules may provide that a player puts a certain amount into the pot (e.g., the game rules may require the player to bet, raise, or call), but the player may still have insufficient funds to comply with the rules. In that case, the player may put all remaining funds into the pot, thereby going "all in."

[0019] In various embodiments, when the game rules stipulate that a player must bet, the amount of the bet may be a standard amount. For example, the amount may be $2. In various embodiments, the amount of the bet may be some function of the ante or some function of the table limits. For example, each table may have a standard size bet that is required when an acting player must bet. In various embodiments, when the game rules stipulate that a player must raise, the amount of the raise may be a standard amount. For example, the amount may be $2. The amount may be some function of the ante or some function of the table limits. For example, the amount of the raise may be equal to the size of the ante. In various embodiments, there may be a different standard bet amount or a different standard raise amount in each round of betting.

[0020] Situations in which a player is required to bet An acting player may be required to bet if one or more of the following are true: (a) the player's hand ranking is above a certain threshold ranking; (b) the player has a greater than predetermined probability of achieving a hand ranking above a certain threshold ranking (e.g., the player has a greater than 30% probability of achieving a flush or better); (c) the player has a likelihood of achieving a particular hand (e.g., the player has a likelihood of achieving a royal flush); (d) the player has particular cards or a particular card combination (e.g., the player has a wild card; the player has two red sevens); (e) the player has the highest ranking hand at the table; (f) the player has the second highest ranking hand at the table; or (g) the player is likely to achieve the highest ranking hand at the table.

[0021] Draw a card In some embodiments, a game may allow for the drawing of cards to a player's hand and / or the discarding of cards from a player's hand. For example, a game may be based on five-card draw poker. In some embodiments, the game rules may dictate which cards should be discarded from a player's hand and / or how many cards should be drawn to a player's hand. For example, the game rules may dictate that a player should always keep three cards of the same rank and discard the other two cards if they are of different rank and are also of different rank from each other.

[0022] <Place to play> Various embodiments may be played at live tables in a casino. Various embodiments may be played over an electronic network. Various embodiments may be played over the Internet. Various embodiments may be played using a mobile gaming device.

[0023] Player discretion In some embodiments, a player may have the discretion to decide between two or more possible actions. For example, a player may choose whether to check or bet in a particular situation. For example, a player may choose the amount of a raise. In various embodiments, the game rules may provide some player discretion but still prohibit some actions. For example, the game rules may allow a player to call or raise in a particular situation, but not fold.

[0024] Helping the player In some embodiments, the player may be told what action to take. For example, the player may be told that he or she should raise. The house may tell the player. For example, a computer monitor at the game table may display the actions required of the players. A computer may read data from the game table to determine the cards that have been dealt and the actions to be taken. For example, a card reader on the table may determine which cards have been dealt to the various players. A computer may access a table or record of game rules to determine which action each player should take based on the cards that have been dealt. The computer may then display or otherwise indicate such actions. In this manner, the player may be relieved of the need to memorize the game rules himself or herself. In various embodiments, the player may be told the game rules that apply. The player may then determine the appropriate action to take. If the player takes the wrong action, the player may be corrected. In various embodiments, the dealer may inform the player of what action to take. In various embodiments, a complete set of rules may be displayed and / or made available. For example, a card bearing the game rules may be handed to the player.

[0025] In some embodiments, the dealer and / or the house may take actions on behalf of the player. For example, the dealer may put chips into the pot on behalf of the player, or may fold the player's cards and step down on behalf of the player. Thus, in various embodiments, the player does not have to do anything during the course of a game other than putting up an initial amount to be used in the game.

[0026] Payments to the House The house may make money in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, the house may receive the pot when all remaining players fold. In some embodiments, the house may receive a percentage from each pot or some other fraction of each or some of the pots. In some embodiments, the house may play the hand. However, the house may play with more favorable rules. For example, the house may be allowed discretion or the house may not be required to post an upfront bet. Such favorable rules may allow the house to make money on average.

[0027] In some embodiments, a single player may play a game of poker. The player may be required to bet, check, or fold, depending on the circumstances. For example, with certain card combinations or hand rankings, the player may be required to bet. With other card combinations or hand rankings, the player may be required to check. With yet other card combinations or hand rankings, the player may be required to fold. If the player is still remaining at the end of the game, a payout or payment for the player may be determined. The player's hand may first be compared to one or more reference hands. For example, it may be determined whether the player's hand has a higher ranking than the reference hand. The reference hand may be a dealer's hand, a house hand, a fixed hand, or some other hand. In various embodiments, the ranking of the player's hand may be determined in isolation (e.g., the ranking may be determined to be a "straight" or a "full house"). The player may then be paid based on a comparison of the player's hand to the reference hand. If the player's hand ranking exceeds the ranking of the benchmark hand, the player can win a multiple of an amount in the pot (e.g., the total amount the player has bet and / or made as an advance stake during the game). The player can win a multiple based on the best benchmark hand the player can beat. For example, a player can win three times the pot for beating a benchmark hand with a straight ranking, but can win five times the pot for beating a benchmark hand with a full house ranking. In various embodiments, a player can win a multiple of the pot based on the ranking of his or her hand. For example, a player can win two times the pot for receiving a pair of jacks or better, and six times the pot for receiving two pairs or better.

[0028] In various embodiments, a player may win a payout based solely on the ranking of his or her hand, rather than based on the amount in the pot. Thus, at the end of the game, the player may lose what is in the pot, but still receive a payout based on the ranking of his or her hand.

[0029] In some embodiments, a single player may play poker against a dealer. Both the player and the dealer act according to the provisions of the game rules. During the course of the game, the dealer, in addition to the player, contributes money to the pot. At the end of the game, if the player's hand has a higher ranking than the dealer's hand, the player may win the pot, including the dealer's contribution.

[0030] <No getting off> In some embodiments, a player is not allowed to fold. The game rules may provide that a player must always at least match the prior bet.

[0031] Example game rules: The following is an exemplary set of game rules that may be applied in a betting round that occurs after each player has received four of the five cards in a game of five-card stud poker.

[0032] The first three players to act: If there has been no bet or raise, a player must bet if his or her current hand ranking is better than a pair of 10s, or if he or she has four cards towards a flush, or if he or she is drawing towards an outside straight. Otherwise, the player must check.

[0033] If the player has been bet or raised, the player must fold if his or her current hand ranking is lower than a pair of fives, and if he or she is not drawing for a flush, and if he or she is not drawing for any straight. If the player does not fold, he or she must call if his or her current hand ranking is lower than two pair. Otherwise, the player must raise.

[0034] For players who act after the first three: If there has been no bet or raise, a player must bet if his or her current hand ranking is better than a pair of sevens, or if he or she has four cards towards a flush, or if he or she is drawing towards an outside straight. Otherwise, the player must check.

[0035] If the player has been bet or raised, the player must fold if his or her current hand ranking is lower than a pair of threes, and if he or she is not drawing for a flush, and if he or she is not drawing for any straight. If the player does not fold, he or she must call if his or her current hand ranking is lower than a pair of jacks, otherwise the player must raise.

[0036] Some embodiments The following are embodiments, not claims.

[0037] A. Deal the first deck of cards to the first player; Deal the second deck of cards to the second player; determining a first action that must be taken by a first player based on a set of game rules and based on said first deck of cards; providing a first player with an indication of said first action; determining a second action that must be taken by a second player based on said set of game rules and based on said second deck of cards; providing a second player with an indication of said second action; determining a size of a pot based on said first action and based on said second action; determining a first poker ranking based on said first suit of cards; determining a second poker ranking based on said second suit of cards; determining a winning player from among the first and second players based on said first poker ranking and based on said second poker ranking; awarding the winning player an amount based on the size of the pot. method.

[0038] B. The method of embodiment A, further comprising displaying the first set of cards and the second set of cards to both a first and a second player.

[0039] C. The method of embodiment A further comprising accepting an ante from the first player and accepting an ante from the second player.

[0040] D. The method of embodiment A, wherein the first action is one of: (a) a bet; (b) a raise; (c) a call; (d) a check, and (e) a fold.

[0041] E. Deciding on the first course of action: determining poker rankings of cards of said first suit; determining the first action to be taken by a first player based on a set of game rules and based on poker rankings of the first suit of cards; The method of embodiment A.

[0042] F. The method of embodiment A, wherein the set of game rules requires an individual player to check if the poker ranking of the player's cards is lower than a threshold ranking and to bet if not.

[0043] G. The method of embodiment A, wherein the set of game rules requires an individual player to fold if the poker ranking of the player's cards is lower than a first threshold ranking, to call if the poker ranking of the player's cards is lower than a second threshold ranking but equal to or greater than the first threshold ranking, and to raise otherwise.

[0044] H. The method of embodiment A, further comprising taking the first action on behalf of the first player.

[0045] I. Deal the third deck of cards to the first player; further comprising dealing a fourth set of cards to the second player. The method of embodiment A.

[0046] J. The method of embodiment I, wherein determining a first poker ranking includes determining a first poker ranking based on the first set of cards and based on the third set of cards, and determining a second poker ranking includes determining a second poker ranking based on the second set of cards and based on the fourth set of cards.

[0047] K. The method of embodiment A, further comprising deducting an amount from the pot as harvest.

[0048] L. The method of embodiment A, wherein determining the size of the pot comprises determining the size of the pot based on the first action, the second action, and the harvest.

[0049] M. Deal the first deck of cards to the first player; determining a first action that must be taken by a first player based on a set of game rules and based on said first deck of cards; providing a first player with an indication of said first action; determining a first size of the pot based on the first action; determining a first poker ranking based on said first suit of cards; determining whether the first player won based on said first poker ranking; if the first player wins, awarding to the first player an amount based on a first size of the pot. method.

[0050] N. Deal the second deck of cards to the dealer; determining a second poker ranking based on the second set of cards; determining whether a first player has won includes determining whether a first player has won based on the first poker ranking and based on the second poker ranking; The method of embodiment M.

[0051] O. determining a second action that a dealer must take based on said set of game rules and based on said second set of cards; providing a first player with an indication of said second action; determining a second size of the pot based on the first size and based on the second action; awarding includes awarding to the first player an amount based on a second size of the pot if the first player wins. The method of embodiment N.

[0052] <card> Playing cards have been around for many years. There are many types of playing cards that are played in many different types of games, but the most common type of cards consists of 52 cards divided into four different suits (i.e. spades, hearts, diamonds and clubs). The suits are printed or indicated on one side or face of each card. In a standard deck, each of the four suits of cards consists of 13 cards numbered 2 through 10 or with the letters A (Ace), K (King), Q (Queen) or J (Jack). This is also printed or indicated on the face of each card. Each card thus includes a suit indication on its face, along with a number or letter indication. The kings, queens and jacks usually include some type of design on the face of the card and are sometimes referred to as face cards.

[0053] In some cases, a standard playing deck of 52 cards also contains some additional cards. These cards are sometimes called jokers and may have some use or meaning depending on the particular game being played with the deck. For example, if a card game includes a joker, if a player receives a joker in his "hand", he may use the joker as any card in the deck. If a player has a joker in addition to the 10 of spades, the jack, the queen, and the king, he would use the joker as the ace of spades. In that case, the player would have a royal flush (10 of spades through ace).

[0054] Many different games can be played with a standard deck of playing cards. Games played with a standard deck of cards may include other items such as a game board, chips, etc. Or the game played may only require the card deck itself. In most games played with a standard deck of cards, each card is assigned a value. That value may vary for different games.

[0055] Typically, card values ​​start with cards numbered 2 as the lowest value, increasing as the numbers increase up to 10, then Jack, Queen, King and Ace in order of increasing value. In some games, an Ace may have a value lower than 2. In games where a particular card is determined to be a wild card or to have any value, that card may have the greatest value of all. For example, in card games where the deuce or 2 is a wild card, a player holding a card containing a 2 can use the 2 as any other card. For example, a 9 and a 2 are equivalent to two 9s.

[0056] Additionally, the four different suits depicted on the cards may have specific values ​​depending on the game: the 7 of spades may be worth more than the 7 of hearts under game rules where one suit, namely spades, has a higher value than another suit, namely hearts.

[0057] It is easy to imagine that many different games can be played using different card quantities and suit values. In some games, it is the combination of cards a player gets that determines whether he or she beats one or more other players. Usually, the more difficult the combination is to obtain, the higher the value it has, and the player who gets the most difficult combination (taking into account the value of the cards) wins the game.

[0058] For example, in a game of poker, each player may ultimately receive five cards. A player who gets three cards with the same number on the face, i.e., the four of hearts, the four of diamonds, and the four of clubs, beats a player who only has two cards with the same value, e.g., the king of spades and the king of hearts. However, a player with five cards, all of which include clubs, commonly known as a flush, beats a player with the three of a kind mentioned above.

[0059] In many cases, a standard deck of playing cards is used to create gaming machines in which players insert coins and play some kind of card game, such as poker, using imitations of standard playing cards on a video screen in an attempt to win more money than they originally put into the machine.

[0060] Another form of gambling using playing cards involves playing at a table and is also known as a table game. A table game involves a table and a dealer, with players standing or sitting around the table. Players place their bets on the table and the dealer deals cards to each player. The number of cards dealt or whether the cards are dealt face up or face down depends on the particular table game being played.

[0061] In addition, imitations or depictions of standard playing cards are used in many portable electronic games, such as poker and blackjack, and in many computer and Internet games. Using a portable electronic game or computer terminal, which may or may not be connected to the Internet, a player receives imitation playing cards and plays the card game against a computer or against other players. In addition, many of these games can be played on a computer in combination with gambling.

[0062] There are also many televised game shows that use a deck of playing cards in the game play, where the cards are usually enlarged or shown on a video screen or monitor for easier viewing. In these television game shows, participants play card games, usually against each other, for prizes or money, and an individual acts as a host who oversees the action.

[0063] There are also lottery tickets that players purchase and play by "peeling" an opaque layer to see if they have won money and prizes. The opaque layer prevents the player from knowing the outcome of the lottery ticket before purchasing and peeling the layer off. Some of these lottery tickets use playing cards underneath the opaque layer, and the player may need to match several similar cards to win a prize or money.

[0064] <Card Game Rules> Rules of Poker In a basic poker game played with a deck of 52 cards, each player is dealt five cards. All five cards in each player's hand are evaluated as a single hand. Hands can have various card combinations, such as pairs, three of a kind, straights, etc. Determining which combinations are superior to other combinations is done by referring to a table that contains the rankings of the combinations. Most table rankings are based on the odds of each combination occurring in a player's hand. Regardless of the number of cards in a player's hand, the values ​​and odds assigned to the cards, the method of evaluating all five cards in a player's hand remains the same.

[0065] Poker is a popular skill-based card game in which players with fully or partially hidden cards place bets into a central pot. The pot is awarded to the player or players with the best card combination or to players who place an uncalled bet. Poker can also refer to video poker, a single-player game found in casinos that is similar to slot machines, or to other games that use poker hand rankings.

[0066] Poker is played in many variations, but most follow the same basic playing patterns.

[0067] The right to deal each hand is typically marked by a token called a "dealer" button or buck, which rotates among the players. In casinos, a house dealer deals the cards for each hand, but a button (typically a white plastic disk) is rotated clockwise among the players to indicate the nominal dealer, who decides who to bet on first.

[0068] For each hand, one or more players are required to make a mandatory bet to make the initial stakes against which the players compete. The dealer shuffles and cuts the cards, and the appropriate number of cards are dealt to the players one at a time. Cards may be dealt face up or face down, depending on the variant of poker being played. After the initial deal, the first of what may be several betting rounds begins. Between rounds, players' hands develop in some way, often by being dealt additional cards or by replacing previously dealt cards. At the end of each round, all bets are collected in a central pot.

[0069] At any point during a betting round, if a player places a bet, his opponents are asked to fold, call, or raise. If a player bets and no opponent chooses to match the bet, the hand ends immediately and the bettor is awarded the pot. No cards need to be shown and the next hand begins. The ability to win the pot without showing one's hand makes bluffing possible. Bluffing is a key feature of poker and distinguishes it from other competitive games and from other games that use poker hand rankings.

[0070] At the end of the final betting round, if two or more players remain, a draw takes place, in which players reveal their previously hidden cards and evaluate their hands. The player with the best hand according to the poker variant being played wins the pot.

[0071] Some of the most popular poker variants are:

[0072] Draw Poker Each player receives five cards - in the case of a five-card draw - or more cards, all of which are hidden, after which players can replace one or more of those cards a certain number of times.

[0073] Stud Poker Each player receives one card at a time, some of which are shown to the other players at the table. The main difference between stud poker and "draw" poker is that players are not allowed to discard or exchange cards.

[0074] Community Card Poker Players combine their personal cards with a number of "community cards" that are dealt face up and shared by all players. In the most popular variants, Texas Hold'em and Omaha Hold'em, players may be dealt two or four personal cards, respectively.

[0075] Ranking of poker hands Straight Flush Straight Flush

[0076] (outside 1) A poker hand such as TIFF2025029058000002.tif12123, containing five consecutive cards, all of the same suit. If there are two such hands, they are compared by their higher card, just like a straight. The low ace rule also applies:

[0077] (outside 2) TIFF2025029058000003.tif13123 is a five-high straight flush (also known as a "steel wheel").

[0078] (Outside 3) An ace-high straight flush, such as TIFF2025029058000004.tif13123, is known as a royal flush and is the highest ranking standard poker hand (except for five of a kind).

[0079] example:

[0080] (outside 4) TIFF2025029058000005.tif18123 Four Cards Four cards, or quads, are

[0081] (outside 5) A poker hand, such as TIFF2025029058000006.tif14123, that contains four cards of the same ranking and one non-matching card. It ranks above a full house and below a straight flush. A higher ranking four-card beats a lower ranking four-card. Between two equal four-card sets (possible with wild cards and in community card games), the kicker decides the winner.

[0082] example:

[0083] (outside 6) TIFF2025029058000007.tif31123Full House A full house, also known as a boat or full boat, is

[0084] (outer 7) A poker hand, such as TIFF2025029058000008.tif13123, consisting of three matching cards of one rank plus two matching cards of another rank. It ranks lower than a four of a kind and higher than a flush. Between two full houses, the hand with the higher ranking triplet wins. If both players have the same triplet (possible with wild cards and in community card games), the hand with the higher pair wins. A full house is described by three of a kind (e.g. QQQ) and a pair (e.g. 9-9). Examples are "Queens over nines" (this English is also used to describe two pair), "Queens full of nines" or simply "Queens full".

[0085] example:

[0086] (outside 8) TIFF2025029058000009.tif33149 Flash Flash is

[0087] (outer 9) A poker hand, such as TIFF2025029058000010.tif13123, containing five non-consecutive cards of the same suit. It ranks above a straight and below a full house. Two flushes are compared as if they were high-carded hands; in other words, their highest ranking cards are compared to determine the winner. If both players have the same high card, then their second-highest ranking cards are compared, and so on. Suits have no value: two flushes of the same five ranks are a draw. Flushes are described by their highest card, e.g., "queen-high flush".

[0088] example:

[0089] (Outside 10) TIFF2025029058000011.tif44123Straight Straight is

[0090] (Outside 11) A poker hand, such as TIFF2025029058000012.tif14123, containing five cards of various suits in consecutive rankings; it ranks higher than three of a kind and lower than a flush. Two straights are ranked by comparing their high cards. Two straights with the same high card are of equal value and share any winnings (straights are the most common tied hands in poker, especially in community card games). A straight is described by its highest card; for example, a "queen-high straight" or a "straight to the queen."

[0091] example:

[0092] (Outside 12) TIFF2025029058000013.tif24123For example

[0093] (Outside 13) A hand like TIFF2025029058000014.tif11123 is an ace-high straight,

[0094] (Outside 14) It ranks higher than a king-high straight, such as TIFF2025029058000015.tif14123. However, an ace

[0095] (Outside 15) It can also be played as a spot 1 with hands like TIFF2025029058000016.tif13123. This is called a wheel or a 5-high straight, and a 6-high straight.

[0096] (Outside 16) It is ranked lower than TIFF2025029058000017.tif12123. Aces "wrap around", meaning that you cannot play both a high and low hand with the same hand.

[0097] (Outside 17) TIFF2025029058000018.tif12123 is not a straight, it is simply an ace-high with no pair.

[0098] Three Cards Three of a kind, also known as trips, set or prill, is

[0099] (Outside 18) A poker hand, such as TIFF2025029058000019.tif12123, that consists of three cards of the same ranking plus two non-matching cards. It ranks higher than two pair and lower than a straight. A higher-ranking three-of-a-kind beats a lower-ranking three-of-a-kind. If two hands have three-of-a-kind of the same ranking (possible with wild cards and in community card games), the kickers are compared to break the tie.

[0100] example:

[0101] (Outside 19) TIFF2025029058000020.tif28148 Two Pairs

[0102] (outside 20) A poker hand like TIFF2025029058000021.tif13123 with two cards of the same rank, two cards of a different rank that match each other but do not match the first pair, and one mismatched card is called a two pair. It ranks higher than one pair and lower than three of a kind. Between two hands containing two pairs, the higher pair of each hand is compared first, and the higher pair wins. If both hands have the same higher pair, the second pair of each hand is compared. Finally, if both hands have the same two pairs, the kicker decides the winner. Two pairs are described by the higher pair (e.g. the king of hearts and the king of clubs) and the lower pair (e.g. the nine of spades and the nine of diamonds), e.g. "Kings over nines", "Kings and nines", or simply "Kings up".

[0103] example:

[0104] (outside 21) TIFF2025029058000022.tif44123One Pair One pair is

[0105] (outside 22) A poker hand, such as TIFF2025029058000023.tif13123, that has two cards of the same ranking plus three mismatched cards. It ranks above any high card hand, but below all other poker hands. A higher ranking pair beats a lower ranking pair. When two hands have pairs of the same ranking, the unpaired cards (kickers) from each hand are compared to determine the winner.

[0106] example:

[0107] (outside 23) TIFF2025029058000024.tif38157 Hi Card A high card or no pair hand is

[0108] (outside 24) A poker hand such as TIFF2025029058000025.tif13123 in which no two cards are of the same rank, no five cards are consecutive, and no five cards are all of the same suit. It is sometimes called "nothing" or "garbage" and many other derogatory names. It ranks below all other poker hands. Two such hands are ranked by comparing their highest cards; if they are equal, the next highest card, if they are equal, the third highest card, and so on. A no-pair hand is described by one or two of the highest cards in the hand, such as "king high" or "ace-queen high," or as many cards as necessary to break a tie.

[0109] example:

[0110] (Outside 25) Deck using the TIFF2025029058000026.tif31164 bug Using the joker as a gamble creates slight variations in game play. When a joker is introduced in a standard poker game, it acts as a fifth ace or can be used as a flush or straight card (although it can also be used as a wild card). Usually, casino draw poker variants use the joker so that the best possible hand is

[0111] (outside 26) It is a five-card image such as TIFF2025029058000027.tif15123.

[0112] Caribbean Stud Rules Caribbean Stud™ Poker may be played as follows: The player and the dealer are each dealt five cards. If the dealer has a poker hand of lesser value than the Ace-King combination or better, the player automatically wins. If the dealer has a poker hand of lesser value than the Ace-King combination or better, the higher of the player's hand or the dealer's hand wins. If the player wins, he may receive an additional bonus payout depending on the poker rank of his hand. In commercial play of the game, side bets are usually required to allow for a chance at a progressive jackpot. In Caribbean Stud™ Poker, it is the dealer's hand that must qualify. If the dealer's hand is partially hidden during play (usually only one card is shown to the player until the player has placed their bets), players must always be aware that a ranked player hand may lose to the dealer's hand, and that no bonuses are paid unless a side bet has been made, and even then only for hands of flush or better.

[0113] Blackjack Rules Several versions of Blackjack are discussed below. Blackjack hands are scored according to the total points of the cards in the hand. The hand with the highest total wins, as long as it is under 21. If the total exceeds 21, it is called a "bust". Number cards from 2 to 10 have a point value equal to their stated value, and face cards (i.e. Jacks, Queens and Kings) are worth 10 points. Aces are worth 11 points, except for 1 point if they are bust. Players play against the dealer and win by having a higher point total under 21. If the player busts, the player loses, even if the dealer also busts. If the player and the dealer have hands with the same point value, this is called a "push" and neither party wins the hand.

[0114] After an initial bet has been placed, the dealer deals the cards. The cards may come from one or more, but typically two, hand-held card decks, or from a "shoe" that contains multiple decks of cards, generally at least four decks of cards, typically much more. Games in which the card decks are hand-held are known as "pitch" games. "Pitch" games are not generally played in casinos. When playing with more than one deck, the decks are shuffled together to make it harder to remember which cards have already been dealt and which have not yet been dealt. The dealer deals two cards to each player and to himself. Typically, one of the dealer's two cards is dealt face-up so that all players can see it, and the other is dealt face-down. The face-down card is called the "hole card". In European variants, the "hole card" is dealt after all players' cards have been dealt and their hands played. Players' cards are dealt face-up if from the shoe, or face-down in "pitch" games.

[0115] A two-card hand with a point value of 21 is called a "blackjack" or "natural" and automatically wins. A player with a "natural" is usually paid 3:2 on his or her bet, although in 2003 some Las Vegas casinos began paying 6:5, typically in games with only a single deck.

[0116] Once the first two cards have been dealt to each player and the dealer, if the dealer has a "natural" and the player does not have a "natural", the dealer automatically wins. If the player has a "natural" and the dealer does not have a "natural", the player automatically wins. If both the dealer and the player have a "natural", neither party wins the hand.

[0117] If neither side has a "natural", each player plays their hand completely, and when all players have finished, the dealer plays his or her hand.

[0118] Playing a hand typically involves a combination of four possible actions: "hit," "stand," "double down," or "split" the hand. One more action, often called "surrender," is added. "Hit" is taking one more card. "Stand" is taking no more cards. "Double down" is doubling the bet, taking exactly one more card, and then "stand." If the player has multiple cards of the same value, such as a pair of eights, the player can "split" by making an additional bet and playing each card as the first card of two new hands. "Surrender" is giving up half the player's bet and giving up the hand. In most casino games of "blackjack," "surrender" is not an option. Once the player "stands," "busts," or "doubles down," the player's turn is over. If the player "busts," the player loses even if the dealer subsequently busts. This is the house advantage.

[0119] After all players have played their hands, the dealer shows his hole cards and plays his hand. Depending on the house rules (relevant casino rules), the dealer must hit until the total point is at least 17, regardless of the players' hands. In most casinos, the dealer must also hit on a "soft" 17 (e.g. an Ace and a 6). Casinos have markings on the felt of blackjack tables to indicate whether the dealer will hit or stand on a soft 17. If the dealer busts, all remaining players win. Bets are usually paid out at odds of 1:1.

[0120] Four variations of the common rule are one-card split aces, early surrender, late surrender, and doubling down restrictions. In the first variation, one card is dealt for each ace, which ends the player's turn. In the second variation, the player has the option to surrender before the dealer checks for blackjack. In the third variation, the player has the option to surrender after the dealer checks for blackjack. In the fourth variation, doubling down is only allowed for certain card combinations.

[0121] Insurance Insurance is a commonly offered betting option that allows players to hedge their bet by betting that the dealer will win the hand. If the dealer's "up card" is an Ace, players are offered the option to buy insurance before the dealer checks his "hole card". If a player wishes to place insurance, he may bet up to half of his original bet. Insurance bets are placed separately on a special part of the table, which is usually marked with the words "Insurance Pays 2:1". A player who buys insurance is betting that the dealer's "hole card" is a card of value 10 (i.e., 10, Jack, Queen, or King). Because the dealer's up card is an Ace, a player who buys insurance is betting that the dealer has a "natural".

[0122] If a player originally bets $10 and the dealer shows an Ace, the player can buy insurance by betting up to $5. Suppose a player places a $5 insurance bet and the player's two-card hand totals 19. If the dealer's hole card is revealed to be a 10 after the insurance period ends (the dealer checks for a "natural" before the player plays the hand), the player loses the original $10 bet, but wins the $5 insurance bet with odds of 2:1, thus breaking even, since the player wins $10. In the same situation, if the dealer's hole card is not a card with a value of 10, the player immediately loses the $5 insurance bet. However, if the player chooses to stand on 19 and the dealer's hand totals less than 19 at the end of the dealer's turn, the player wins the original $10 bet and makes a net profit of $5. In the same situation, if the dealer's hole card is not a card of value 10, the player again immediately loses the $5 insurance bet, and if the dealer's hand has a higher total value than the player's hand at the end of both turns, for example if the player stands on 19 and the dealer finishes his turn on 20, the player loses both the original $10 bet and his $5 insurance bet. Basic Strategy Blackjack players can increase their expected winnings by several means, one of which is "basic strategy." "Basic strategy" is merely a matter of general practice and has no official sanction. "Basic strategy" determines when to hit and when to stand on the best course, as well as when to double down or split. Basic strategy is based on the player's point total and the dealer's visible cards. Under some conditions (e.g., playing with a single deck under downtown Las Vegas rules), the house advantage against players using basic strategy can be as low as 0.16%. Casinos that offer options such as surrender and doubling after splitting give players using basic strategy a statistical advantage and may rely on players making mistakes to gain a house advantage.

[0123] Some optional rules may benefit skilled players, such as: if doubling down is allowed on any two-card hand other than a natural; if "doubling down" is allowed after a split; if early surrendering (giving up half the bet on a heads or ace top card before the dealer checks for blackjack) is allowed; if late surrendering is allowed; if resplitting aces is allowed (a player splits when they have three or more cards in their hand and a second ace has just been dealt to their hand); if drawing more than two cards is allowed on a split ace; if five or more cards totaling no more than 21 automatically wins (known as a "Charlie").

[0124] There are also optional rules that can disadvantage skilled players, such as: when "naturals" pay less than 3:2 (e.g., single-deck blackjack on the Las Vegas Strip pays 6:5 for "naturals"); when a hand can only be split once (resplitting is allowed on non-aces); when doubling down is limited to certain totals (e.g., 9 11 or 10 11); when aces cannot be resplit; when "no-peek" (or European) blackjack rules mean that if a player splits or "doubles down," their hand loses against the dealer who has a "natural" (because the dealer does not check this automatically winning hand until the player has played it); when a tie with the dealer results in the player losing, rather than a push where neither the player nor the dealer wins and the player keeps their original bet.

[0125] Card Counting Unlike some other casino games where a play has no effect on subsequent plays, a hand of blackjack removes cards from the deck. As cards are removed from the deck, the probability of each remaining card being dealt changes (and it becomes impossible to deal the same card). If the remaining cards have a higher percentage of 10 value cards and Aces, the player is more likely to be dealt naturals, which favors the player (because when the dealer has a natural, the dealer wins even money, whereas when the player has a natural, the player wins at 3:2 odds). If the remaining cards have a higher percentage of low value cards such as 4s, 5s, and 6s, the player is more likely to bust, which favors the dealer (because if the player busts, the dealer wins even if the dealer busts later).

[0126] The house advantage in blackjack is relatively small initially. By keeping track of which cards have been dealt, a player can take advantage of the changing proportions of cards remaining by betting higher when the proportion of 10-value cards and Aces is increasing, and lower when the proportion of low-value cards is increasing. Over time, the deck becomes more unfavorable than favorable for the player, but by adjusting the amount of the bet, the player can overcome that inherent disadvantage. The player can also use this information to refine their basic strategy. For example, a basic strategy calls for hitting with a 16 when the dealer's up card is a 10, but if the player knows that a disproportionate number of low-value cards remain, the odds may have changed in favor of standing on the same 16.

[0127] There are several methods of counting cards, and their effectiveness all depends on the player's memory to remember a simplified or detailed count of the cards that have been played. The more detailed the count, the more accurate it is, but the more difficult it is to remember. Counting cards is not cheating, but if discovered, casinos will kick out or ban anyone who successfully counts cards.

[0128] Shuffle tracking is a more stealthy and difficult method of attempting to shift the odds in a player's favor. Players track groups of cards during play of a multi-deck shoe, track them through shuffles, and then attempt to find the same groups reappearing from the new shoe and play and bet accordingly.

[0129] Tracking table activity U.S. Patent 6,579,181 generally describes: "A system for automatically monitoring game play and betting. In one illustrated embodiment, the system includes a card deck reader that automatically reads each symbol from each card in a card deck before the first of the cards is removed from the deck. The symbols identify the value of the card by rank and suit, and can take the form of machine-readable symbols such as bar codes, area or matrix codes, or stack codes. In another aspect, to ensure security, the system does not decode the symbols read until each card is dealt."

[0130] "In another aspect, the system can include a chip tray reader that automatically images the contents of the chip tray. The system periodically determines the number and value of chips in the chip tray from the images and compares changes in the chip tray contents with the outcome of game play to verify that proper amounts have been dispensed and withdrawn.

[0131] "In a further aspect, the system can include a table monitor that automatically images activity or events occurring at the gaming table. The system periodically compares the images of the gaming table to identify bets and the appearance, removal and location of cards and / or other objects on the gaming table. The table monitoring system can be unobtrusively located within the chip tray." U.S. Patent 6,579,181 generally describes a "drop box that automatically verifies the amount and authenticity of a deposit and checks the deposit against changes in the contents of a chip tray. The drop box can image various portions of a deposited item with appropriate selection of lighting and resolution to examine the security features of the deposited item."

[0132] "In another aspect, the system can use some or all of its components to monitor the gaming habits of players and the performance of employees. The system can detect suspicious playing or betting patterns that may be prohibited. The system can also identify the win / loss ratios of players and dealers, along with several other statistically significant measures. Such measures can provide enhanced automated security and automated real-time accounting to a casino or other gaming establishment. The measures can also provide the basis for automatically allocating service benefits to players." Various embodiments include devices, methods and systems that utilize a card dispensing shoe with a scanner and associated software that allows a card dealer, when dealing a game from the card dispensing shoe, to use one or more keyboards and / or LCD displays coupled to the shoe, preferably located on a gaming table where a twenty-one game to be evaluated by the software is played, to identify for the computer program the number of active player seats or the number of active players, including the dealer's location relative thereto, and their active play at the gaming table during each game round dealt from the shoe. These keyboards and LCD displays are also used to input other data related to each seat or player's betting and / or decision strategy for each hand played. The data is analyzed by a computer software program designed to evaluate, in real time, the strategy decisions and betting skills of casino twenty-one or blackjack players playing a game of blackjack. The valuation software is coupled to a central processing unit (CPU) or host computer that is also coupled to a keyboard or LCD display on the shoe. The dealer, using one or more keyboards attached to or carried by the shoe, or using a keyboard or keyboards located near the dealer, can view and record the exact bet amounts by each player for each hand played on the bet that is to be valuated.An optical scanner coupled to the CPU reads the value of each card dealt to each player's hand and the dealer's hand as each card is dealt to a particular hand, sheet or position and converts the game card value of each card dealt from the shoe to the players and dealer for the game into a card counting system value for one or more card counting systems programmed into said evaluation software. The CPU also records each player's decision to hit a hand and the dealer's decision to hit or take another card when required by the rules of the game. The dealer uses one or more of the keyboards and LCD displays carried by the shoe to record each player's decision to insure, surrender, stand, double down or split a hand. When the dealer has an Ace or a Ten as his or her face-up card, the dealer's second card, or hole card, which is dealt face-down, is scanned and its game card value is imported into the computer system software so that the dealer may prompt the computer system software, using one or more of the keyboards, to immediately inform the dealer via one or more of the shoe's LCDs whether the dealer's game cards or hand total together make "21" or a "blackjack."

[0133] In various embodiments, a card delivery shoe is provided for use in dealing playing cards to at least one player for play of a card game. a card playing system for playing a card game including a card delivery shoe apparatus, in combination with housing means having a chute for supporting at least one deck of playing cards, the housing means having an exit opening for allowing movement of the playing cards one at a time through the chute and through which the playing cards of the deck are moved out of the housing means one at a time during play of a card game; card scanning means located within said housing means for scanning a pattern located on each playing card as it moves out of said chute of said housing means; means for receiving an output of the card scanning means and for identifying each playing card received by each player from the shoe, evaluating information regarding each player's received playing cards and their values ​​together with information regarding playing tactics used by each player against the values ​​of the received playing cards and combining all of this information to identify a playing strategy for each player; and a playing table coupled to said card delivery shoe apparatus and having at least one keypad means located thereon for allowing at least one player to select various card playing options upon which to place bets.

[0134] In various embodiments, a card playing system for playing a card game including a card delivery shoe apparatus for use in dealing playing cards to at least one player for the play of a card game, in combination, includes housing means having a chute for supporting at least one deck of playing cards, the housing means having an exit opening for permitting movement of individual playing cards through the chute and for moving the playing cards of the deck one by one out of the housing means during play of the card game, and a card reader positioned within the housing means for scanning a pattern located on each playing card as each playing card is moved out of the chute of the housing means. a card scanning means for receiving the output of the card scanning means, for identifying each playing card received by each player from the shoe apparatus, for evaluating information regarding each player's received playing cards and their values ​​together with information regarding betting tactics used by each player against playing cards previously dealt from said shoe apparatus providing card count information, and for combining all of this information to identify each player's card counting strategy; and a playing table coupled to said card delivering shoe apparatus and having at least one keypad means located thereon for allowing at least one player to select at least one of various card playing options upon which to place a bet.

[0135] In various embodiments, a card playing system for playing a card game including a card delivery shoe apparatus for use in dealing playing cards to at least one player for playing a card game includes, in combination, housing means having a chute for supporting at least one deck of playing cards, the housing means having an exit opening for allowing movement of individual playing cards through the chute and for moving the playing cards of the deck out of the housing means one at a time during play of the card game; card scanning means located within the housing means for scanning a pattern located on each playing card as each playing card is moved out of the chute of the housing means; and a card delivery shoe apparatus for receiving an output of the card scanning means and adapted to receive the output of the card delivery shoe apparatus. means for identifying each playing card received by each player from said shoe apparatus, evaluating information regarding each player's received playing cards and their values ​​together with information regarding playing tactics used by each player against the values ​​of the received playing cards, and combining the use of all of this information to identify each player's playing strategy, and also identifying each player's card counting strategy based on betting tactics used by each player against playing cards previously dealt from said shoe apparatus providing card counting information; and a playing table coupled to said card dispensing shoe apparatus and having at least one keypad means located thereon for allowing at least one player to select at least one of various card playing options upon which to place a bet.

[0136] In various embodiments, a secure gaming table system adapted for multiple sites under central control allows for monitoring of hands in progressive live card games. The live card games have at least one deck with a predetermined number of cards. Each gaming table in the system has multiple player positions, each of which may or may not have a player, and a dealer position with a dealer.

[0137] In one embodiment, to provide additional security, a common identification code is placed on each card in each deck. Each deck has a different common identification code. A shuffler is used to shuffle the decks together, and the shuffler has circuitry for counting cards from a previous hand that are inserted into the shuffler for reshuffling. The shuffler circuitry counts each card inserted and reads the common identification code located on each card. The shuffler circuitry generates a signal corresponding to the count and the common identification code read. A game control (e.g., the computer) located at each table receives the signal from the shuffler circuitry and verifies that no cards have been removed from the hand by a player (or dealer) or substituted with a new card. If the count is not correct, or if a game card is missing or has a mismatched identification code, an alarm signal is generated indicating that a new deck of cards needs to be used and that a possible breach of game security has occurred.

[0138] In yet another embodiment of security, a unique code, such as a bar code, is placed on each card and as each card is dealt from the shoe by the dealer, a detector reads the code and emits a signal to the game control that includes at least the value and suit of each card dealt in the hand. The detector may also read a common identifying deck code and emit it as a signal to the game control. The shoe may have an optical scanner that produces an image of each card as it is dealt from the shoe by the dealer in a hand. The game control stores this information in memory and a history of each card dealt from the shoe in a hand is recorded.

[0139] In yet another embodiment of security, an integrated shuffler / shoe takes optical images of each card dealt from the shoe for a hand and each card inserted into the shuffler after a hand. These images are delivered to game control where the images are counted and compared. An alarm is generated if an abnormal count or comparison occurs. The shuffler and shoe are integrated to provide security between both units.

[0140] In yet another embodiment of security for a live card game, a game bet sensor is positioned near each of the plurality of player locations to sense the presence of a game bet. The game bet sensor emits a signal that counts tokens placed. It is entirely possible that the game bet sensors at some player locations have no bets, and thus a game control receiving these signals identifies which player locations have players placing game bets. This information is stored in memory and becomes part of the game history.

[0141] In another embodiment of security, a progressive bet sensor is located at each of the plurality of player positions to sense the presence of a progressive bet. Signals emitted by the progressive bet sensor are received by the game control, which records in memory the progressive bets placed at each sensed player position. If a progressive bet is sensed and no game bet is sensed, the game control generates an alarm signal indicating an illegal bet. At this point, the game control knows the identity of each player position that has placed a game bet and the player positions at which a game bet has been placed that also have a progressive bet. This is stored in memory as part of the history of the hand.

[0142] In another embodiment of security, a card sensor is positioned near each player position and the dealer position. The card sensor emits a signal for each card received at the card sensor. The game control receives the emitted signal and correlates those player positions that have placed a game bet with the cards received. If a player position without a game bet receives a card or a player position with a game bet receives a card out of sequence, the game control emits an alarm. This information is added to a game history in memory, which includes the value and suit of each card delivered to each player position that has a game bet.

[0143] A progressive jackpot display is located at each gaming table and may display one or more jackpot prizes for one or more winning combinations of cards. In one embodiment of the invention, the gaming control at each table stores in memory the winning combination required to win the progressive jackpot. Because the gaming control stores precisely the suit and value of each card received at each individual player position, the gaming control can automatically detect the winning combination and issue a win signal for that player position. A dealer can then verify that the player at that position does indeed have the correct combination of cards. The gaming control continually updates a central control that is interconnected to all other gaming tables, allowing the central control to notify all gaming tables of this win, including, if desired, the name of the winner and the amount won.

[0144] The central control is in continuous communication with each game control and its associated progressive jackpot display may receive all or a portion of the information stored in each game control through the communications link.

[0145] Various embodiments include a card shoe with a device for automatic recognition and tracking of the value of each game card drawn from the card shoe in a concealed manner (face down).

[0146] Various embodiments include a gaming table with equipment for automatic recognition of played or unplayed boxes (hands), which must accommodate multiple bets on each hand and the use of insurance lines. Additionally, the gaming table may include equipment for automatically recognizing the number of cards placed in front of each player and the dealer.

[0147] Various embodiments include recognition, tracking and storage of gaming chips.

[0148] In various embodiments, an electronic data processing (EDP) program processes the values ​​of all bets on each box and associated insurance lines, controls the sequence of card dispenses, controls the distribution of game cards to each player and to the dealer, calculates and compares the total scores of each hand, and evaluates player winnings.

[0149] The game data is then processed by the EDP program and may be shown simultaneously with the actual game on a special monitor or display. The same data may be recalled later to monitor the total outcome whenever required.

[0150] Various embodiments include: a gaming table and gaming table clothes located on said gaming table and having betting boxes and designated areas for placing gaming chips and other designated areas for placing playing cards; a card shoe for the storage of one or more decks of playing cards, including means for drawing individual cards of the playing cards face down such that the card value imprints present on the drawn cards are not visible to players of the game of chance; a card recognition means positioned within the card shoe for recognizing said card value imprint on a card drawn from the card shoe; an occupancy detector unit including means for registering a count of gaming chips placed on a designated area for chips and another count of playing cards placed on another designated area for playing cards on the table cloth, the occupancy detector unit being located under the table cloth and consisting of a plurality of single detectors assigned to each betting box; With a game bet detector for automatic recognition or manual entry of game bets; and a computer including means for evaluating the play of the game of probability in accordance with rules of the game of probability, means for storing results of the play of the game of probability, and means for displaying the process of the play of the game of probability and the results from electronic signals input from said game bet detector, said occupancy detector unit and said card recognition means.

[0151] According to various embodiments, the card recognition means comprises an optical window disposed along a path of movement of a card image imprint on a playing card drawn from the card shoe; a pulsed light source for illuminating a portion of the drawn playing card located opposite the optical window; a CCD image converter for the portion of the drawn playing card located opposite the optical window; an optical device for deflecting and transmitting a reflected image of a card value imprint from the drawn playing card from the portion of the drawn playing card to the CCD image converter when the drawn card is exactly in the correct drawn position opposite the optical window; and a sensor means for detecting movement of the drawn card and providing correct timing of operation of the pulsed light source for transmission of the reflected image to the CCD image converter. The optical device for deflecting and transmitting the reflected image can include a mirror configured to deflect the reflected image to the CCD image converter. Alternatively, the optical device for deflecting and transmitting the reflected image comprises a reflecting optical prism with two planar surfaces arranged at right angles to each other, one covering the optical window and the other facing the CCD image converter, and a mirror, the pulsed light source being arranged behind the latter planar surface to illuminate the drawn card when it is placed over the optical window. Advantageously, the sensor means for detecting the movement of the drawn card and providing the correct timing to sense the leading edge of the drawn card to determine whether the drawn card is being drawn and to activate the CCD image converter and the pulsed light source when the trailing edge of the drawn card passes the sensor means comprises a single sensor, preferably a pressure sensor or a photoelectric threshold device. Alternatively, the sensor means can comprise two electro-optical sensors, one located outside the path of movement of the card image imprint on the drawn playing card and the other located within the path of movement of the card image imprint of the drawn playing card. The latter electro-optical sensor may include means for activating said pulsed light source by sensing a color trigger when a card value imprint passes through said optical window.In a preferred embodiment of the card shoe, the pulsed light source includes a xenon lamp.

[0152] In various embodiments of the gaming device, each of the single detectors of the occupancy detector unit has a photosensitive sensor for the detection of chips or playing cards placed on the table cloth on the respective single detector. Each single detector can be an infrared sensitive photodiode, preferably a silicon photodiode. Advantageously, the single detectors can be arranged in the occupancy detector unit such that a chip or playing card placed on the table cloth on the single detector is placed on at least two single detectors.

[0153] The gaming device may include automated means for distinguishing colored marks or areas on a chip and generating a bet output signal depending on the colored marks or areas and the number of chips having the same colored marks or areas.

[0154] The game bet detector may include automated means for distinguishing between chips of different values ​​in the game of chance and means for generating bet output signals in response to the different values ​​of the chips when they are wagered by a player. In various embodiments, the game bet detector includes radio frequency transmitting and receiving stations, each chip provided with a transponder responsive to the transmitting and receiving stations, whereby the transponder transmits the value of the bet chip back to the transmitting and receiving stations.

[0155] The connections between the individual units of the gaming device and the computer may be wireless or cabled.

[0156] Bet Tracking Various embodiments include a smart card delivery shoe that reads the suit and rank of each card before it is delivered to the various positions where cards are dealt in the play of a casino table card game. The cards are then dealt to the required card positions according to the rules of the game. Different games have a variety of card dealing positions, different numbers of cards, and different delivery sequences that the hand identification system of the present invention must encompass. For example, in blackjack, the most complex of card dealing games, cards are typically dealt one at a time around the table, one at each player position and then to the dealer position. The card-by-card delivery sequence is repeated again, so that each player position and the dealer position has an initial hand of exactly two cards. The complexity of hand development is introduced because a player has essentially unlimited control over additional cards until the point value in the hand exceeds a count of 21. A player may stand on a count of two (two aces) if he wishes, or may hit on a count of 21. Thus, knowing the count of a hand provides no guarantee as to what a player will do. The dealer, on the other hand, is required to follow strict house rules for playing the game, depending on the value of the dealer's hand. There may be slight variations, such as allowing or disallowing a hit on a "soft" count of 17, but otherwise the rules are very precise and do not allow the house or dealer to exercise any strategy.

[0157] Other card games may deal equal numbers of cards together. For example, variants of stud poker played against a dealer typically deal a hand of five cards at a time to each player position, and to the dealer position when playing against a dealer. This card hand distribution is very simple to track, since each sequence of five cards drawn from the dealer shoe becomes a hand.

[0158] Other games may require that cards be dealt to the player and other cards be dealt to the flop or common area, and the system may be programmable to cover this alternative, if desired.

[0159] Baccarat is closer to blackjack in the card dealing sequence, but has stricter rules regarding when players and dealers may hit, and each position may take at most one card as a hit. The hand identification system of the present invention must be able to address the need to identify hands in each of these types of games, and especially in the most complex situation, playing blackjack.

[0160] In various embodiments, when a camera is used to read the cards, the light-sensing system may be any image capture system, digital or analog, capable of identifying the suit and rank of the cards.

[0161] In various embodiments, the first step in operation is to provide a deck of cards to the smart delivery shoe. The cards are cards that are to be used in the play of a casino table card game. The deck of cards (usually one or more decks) is provided as an already randomized deck, either removed from a shuffler or shuffled by hand. The smart delivery shoe is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 622,321, entitled SMART DELIVERY SHOE, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Some dispensing systems and shoes with reading capabilities include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,750,743; 5,779,546; 5,605,334; 6,361,044; 6,217,447; 5,941,769; 6,229,536; 6,460,848; 5,722,893; 6,039,650; and 6,126,166. In various embodiments, cards are read, for example one at a time, in a smart card dispensing shoe. Reading cards by edge marks and special codes (such as in U.S. Patent 6,460,848) may require special encoding and marking of the cards. Thus, the entire sequence of cards in the deck may be determined and stored in a memory, which may be at least partially within the smart dispensing shoe, but is capable of communicating with a central processor. In that case, the sequence may be stored also or only in the central computer.

[0162] In various embodiments, the cards are dealt from a smart delivery shoe, which registers how many cards are being dispensed at one time. This may be accomplished by U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10 / 622,321, identified above, where the cards are fed one at a time to the dealer dispense area, so that only one card can be dispensed by the dealer. As each card is dispensed, a signal is generated indicating that a particular card (of rank and suit) has been dealt. The computer and system only knows that the first card has been dealt, and it is assumed to go to the first player. The remaining cards are dealt to the players and the dealer. In playing certain games (e.g., stud variants) where it is known that a certain number of cards are dealt to each position, the shoe may be programmed with the number of players at any given time, so that hands can be correlated even before they are dealt. If the shoe is playing a stud variant (e.g., a Three Card Poker™ game) where each player and dealer gets three cards, the system may know what hands each player and dealer will have prior to dealing. It is also possible that there is a signal available when the dealer receives his first card (e.g., when cards are dealt one by one in sequence) or when he receives his entire hand. The signal can be used to automatically determine the number of player positions active on the table at any given time. For example, when the dealer receives the sixth card in a hand of blackjack, the system may immediately know that there are five players at the table. The signal can be given manually (by pressing a button at the dealer's position or on a smart card delivery shoe) or automatically (a card-present sensor at the dealer's position, where a card can be placed over the sensor to provide a signal). If the automatic signal is provided by a sensor, some physical protection of the sensor may be provided, such as a shield to prevent accidental contact with or blocking of the sensor.An L-shaped cover may be used to allow cards to slide under the arm of the L parallel to the table surface, and the sensor may be covered under that branch of the L. A signal may also be given after all cards for the hand have been dealt, also indicating the number of players. For example, when the dealer's two cards are slid under the L-shaped cover to block or contact the sensor, the system knows the total number of cards dealt in the hand (e.g., 10 cards), knows the dealer has two cards, therefore determines that the players have eight cards, knows that each player has two cards, and can therefore determine that there are absolutely four active player positions at the table (10-2=8, and 8 / 2=4 players). This automatic determination may serve as an alternative to having the dealer enter the number of players at the table every hand, or having to manually change the indicated number of players at the table every time the number of players changes.

[0163] Once all positions have been dealt, the system may now know what cards are initially present in each player's hand, the dealer's hand, and the flop or common hand, if any. When no more cards are provided to play the casino table game, system operation may be simple: all hands may be known and all outcomes may be predicted. Additional card complications are addressed for the game of blackjack.

[0164] After dealing the initial set of two cards per hand, the system does not immediately know where the remaining cards will be dealt. However, the system can know which cards have been dealt. It is with this knowledge and subsequent identification of the discarded hands that the hands and cards from the smart delivery shoe can be reconciled or verified. Each hand is already identified by two specifically known cards. The hands are then played according to the rules of the game, and when the hand has been exhausted, it is discarded. A hand is exhausted when: 1) there is a blackjack. The hand is paid and the cards are cleared; 2) a hand breaks with a count over 21. The cards are cleared; and / or when the dealer's hand is completed and the round of the game is played to its conclusion. All bets are settled and the cards are cleared. As is typically done in casinos that allow manual hand reconciliation, the cards are picked up from the table in a precise order. Cards are typically cleared from the dealer's right to the dealer's left, with the cards at each position containing the cards in the order they were dealt, with the first card at the bottom, the second card above the first, the third card above the second, and so on. Maintaining the order or a close approximation of the order (e.g., the first two cards could be reversed) is important because the first two cards form the anchor, focus, foundation, fence, end point, or set edge for each hand. For example, if a third player position is known to have received the 10 of hearts (10H) and the 9 of spades (9S) as its first two cards, and a fourth player position is known to have received the 8 of diamonds (8D) and the 3 of clubs (3C) as its first two cards, then the edges or anchors for the two hands are 9S / 10H and 8D / 3C.When hands are swept at the completion of a game and cards are sent to a smart discard rack (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10 / 622,388, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety), and a 9S / 10H hand has not yet been exhausted (e.g., broken or busted), and the swept cards consist of 9S, 10H, 8S, 8D, and 3C (as read by the smart discard rack), the processor software can automatically know that the final hands in the third and fourth positions were a count of 19 (9S and 10H) for the third hand and 19 (the original 8D and 3C plus a hit of 8S) for the fourth hand. This analysis by the software uses the distinct cards read by the smart discard shoe to specifically identify the fourth hand as a count of 19. The information from reading that now exhausted hand is compared to the original information gathered from the smart feed shoe. The smart delivery shoe information, when combined with the smart discard rack information, corroborates the hand at each position even though the cards were not distributed uniformly (e.g., player 1 hits twice for a total of four cards, player 2 hits three times for a total of five cards, player 3 hits no hits for a total of two cards, player 4 hits once for a total of three cards, and the dealer hits twice for a total of four cards).

[0165] The dealer's cards may be equally subject to analysis in several different formats. After the last card has been dealt to the last player, a signal can be generated simply and imperceptibly that the dealer's hand is now active and a hit is possible. For example, with the above-mentioned sensor to sense the presence of the first dealer card or the completion of the dealer's hand, the cards are removed from under the L-shaped protective bridge. This type of move is usually made in blackjack where the dealer reveals at most one card and hides one card face down. In this case, it is a natural move to remove the card from above the sensor under the L cover to reveal the hole card, which then exposes the sensor. This can provide a signal to the central processor that the dealer's hand will receive all additional cards in that round of the game. At this point, the system knows the two initial cards in the dealer's hand, knows the value of the cards in the next sequence, and knows the rules by which the dealer must play. Since the dealer has no freedom of decision or movement in playing the dealer's hand, the system knows which cards the dealer will receive and what the final total of the dealer's hand will be. When the dealer's hand is placed into the smart discard rack, the discard rack already knows the particulars of the dealer's hand without having to use the first two cards as an anchor or basis for the dealer's hand. Cards may be handled in this manner in some embodiments.

[0166] As hands are swept from the table, first the dealer's hand, then the player's hands from right to left (from the dealer's perspective, or vice versa depending on how the house plays), the smart discard rack reads the shoe, identifies the anchors for each hand, knows that at the end, none of the swept hands can exceed a count of 21, and the computer identifies each individual hand and checks it against the original data from the smart delivery shoe. The system is thereby able to identify each hand played and provide a system guarantee that it was played fairly and accurately.

[0167] When a lack of verification by the system occurs, several events can occur. A signal can be given directly to the dealer position, to the pit area or to a security zone, and the cards can be examined to determine the nature and cause of the error and to check individual cards if necessary. When hand and card data is used for various statistical purposes such as evaluating dealer efficiency, dealer win / loss events, player efficiency, player win / loss events, player statistical habits, unusual or meaningful playing tactics (e.g., showing card counts), etc., the system may file the particular hand in a "dump" file, thereby preventing it from being used in the statistical analysis. This is to ensure that the full benefit of the analysis is not biased by erroneous or idiosyncratic data.

[0168] Various embodiments may include date stamping of each card dealt (a sequence defining the actual time and date, possibly with the concept of specific identification of a unique sequence identifier). Date stamping may also be replaced by specific sequence stamping or marking, such as a specific hand number at a specific table, at a specific casino, with a specific number of players, etc. The record may show various indices in the stored memory of the central computer such as table 3, position 3, hand 7S / 4D / 9S on August 19, 1995 at Lucky 777 Casino at 8:12:17am, or simply identify something similar with an alphanumeric code such as L7C-819-95-3-3-073-7S / 4D / 9S (where 073 is the 73rd hand dealt). This date stamping of hands, or even cards in memory, may be used as an analytical search tool for security and to improve identification of hands.

[0169] FIG1 (7114718) shows a minimum component block diagram for a hand reading system based on a table 4 of the present invention, a smart card reading supply shoe 8 with output 14, and a smart card reading discard rack 12 with output 18. Player positions 6 are shown. Also shown is a dealer's hand position sensor 10 without an output port 16.

[0170] The use of a discard rack that serves to automatically verify hands (e.g., blackjack or bust) that are returned to the discard rack out of sequence may be advantageous in some embodiments. The software can be programmed to recognize hands that are removed out of sequence based on knowledge of anchor cards (the first two cards) that are known to have been dealt to a particular hand. For example, the software will identify that a hand is to be removed when a blackjack is dealt to position 3. The delivery of the third hand to the smart card discard tray will confirm this, and position 3 will essentially be ignored in future hand resolution. More importantly, if the anchor card is, say, 9S / 5C at the second player position, and the exhausted hand 8D / 9S / 5C is placed in the smart discard rack, the hand will be identified as the hand from the second player position. If two identical hands happen to be dealt in the same round of play, the software is simply reminded to individually check the final card sequence placed in the smart discard rack to more carefully locate the exhausted hand (it knows all of the hands). This is simply a cognitive software implementation once the concept is understood.

[0171] A card removal step or other initiated signal from the dealer's sensor specifying that any further cards go to the dealer can be useful in defining the edge of play between rounds and in identifying the dealer's hand and the end of a round of play. When the dealer's card is deposited and read in the smart discard rack, a mark or note can be established that the central computer knows another round of play is taking place and the following sequence is a new round and the analysis cycle can start from the beginning.

[0172] The discard rack indicates that a complete hand has been delivered by the absence of additional cards in the discard rack in-feed tray. When cards are swept from an earlier exhausted hand (blackjack or break), they are swept one at a time and inserted one at a time into the smart discard rack. When the smart discard rack in-feed tray is empty, the system knows that a complete hand has been identified and it can verify that particular hand against information from the smart feed shoe. The system can be connected to a feed strategy analysis software program, such as the SMI licensed proprietary Bloodhound™ analysis program.

[0173] Various embodiments include casino or card room games modified to include a progressive jackpot component. During the play of the game of Twenty-One, for example, in addition to this regular bet, the player will have the option of making an additional bet. That bet will become part of the progressive jackpot and the player will be eligible to win that progressive jackpot. If the player's Twenty-One hand has a specific, pre-determined card arrangement, the player will win all or a portion of the amount shown on the progressive jackpot. This progressive jackpot feature can also be applied to any other casino or card room game such as Draw Poker, Stud Poker, Lo-Ball Poker or Caribbean Stud™ Poker. Various embodiments include a gaming table such as those used for Twenty-One or Poker modified with the addition of a coin acceptor that is electronically connected to the progressive jackpot meter. When a player deposits a coin into the coin acceptor, a light is activated at the player's location indicating that the player is participating in the progressive jackpot component of the game for that hand. At the same time, a signal from the coin acceptor is sent to a progressive meter, which increments the amount shown on the progressive jackpot meter. At the conclusion of play of each hand, the coin acceptor is reset for the next hand. If a player wins all or part of the progressive jackpot, the amount shown on the progressive jackpot meter is reduced by the amount the player won. Any number of game tables can be connected to a single progressive jackpot meter.

[0174] Card Shuffler Various embodiments include an automated card shuffler that includes a card mixer for receiving cards to be shuffled in first and second trays. Sensors detect the presence of cards in the trays and automatically initiate a shuffling operation, whereby cards are transported from the trays to the card mixer, which randomly interleaves the cards delivered to the mixing mechanism and places the interleaved cards into vertically aligned card compartments.

[0175] While the cards are being shuffled, a carriage supporting the ejector is reciprocated back and forth vertically by a reversible linear drive to continually move the card ejector along the card-receiving compartment. The reversible linear drive is preferably activated upon operation of the shuffling means and operates simultaneously with, but independently of, the shuffling means. When the shuffling operation is terminated, the linear drive is stopped, thereby randomly positioning the card ejector at a vertical position along the card-receiving compartment.

[0176] A sensor disposed within the card-receiving compartment determines whether the stack of cards has reached at least a predetermined vertical height. After the card ejector has stopped, if the sensor within the compartment determines that the stack of cards has reached at least the predetermined height, a mechanism including a motor drive is activated to move a wedge-shaped card ejector into the card-receiving compartment to eject a group of cards in the stack, the group being determined by the vertical position achieved by the wedge-shaped card ejector.

[0177] In various embodiments, the card ejector pushes the group of cards engaged by it outwardly through the front open end of the compartment such that the group of cards is pushed away from the remaining cards in the stack, but is not completely or fully ejected from the stack.

[0178] When the card ejector reaches the end of its ejection stroke, which is detected by a microswitch, it is withdrawn from the card compartment and returned to its initial position, waiting for subsequent shuffling and card selection operations.

[0179] In various embodiments, the technique for randomly selecting a group of cards to be ejected from the card compartment utilizes solid state electronic circuitry means which may include either a group of discrete semiconductor circuits or a microprocessor. Either technique preferably uses a high frequency generator to step an N stage counter during the shuffle operation. When the shuffle operation is complete, the stepping of the counter is terminated. The output of the counter is converted to a DC signal which is compared against another DC signal which represents the vertical position of the card ejector along the card compartment.

[0180] In various embodiments, the random selection is made by incrementing an N-stage counter with a high frequency generator. The high frequency generator is disconnected from the N-stage counter at the end of the shuffle operation. The N-stage counter is then incremented by a very low frequency generator until it reaches its capacity count and is reset. The reciprocating motion of the card ejector is terminated after the completion of a time interval that extends from the time the high frequency generator is disconnected from the N-stage counter to the time the counter is advanced to its capacity count and reset by the low frequency generator, which time is of random length. At the end, it triggers activation of the reciprocating drive, causing the card ejector carriage to coast to a stop.

[0181] In various embodiments, the card ejector partially ejects the group of cards from the stack in the compartment. The partially ejected group of cards is then manually removed from the compartment. In another preferred embodiment, the ejector completely ejects the group of cards from the compartment and the ejected cards fall into a chute that delivers the cards directly to the dealing shoe. The pressure plate of the dealing shoe is initially retracted to a position to allow cards passing through the dealing shoe to enter the dealing shoe directly, and the pressure plate is then returned to its original position where it propels the cards towards the output end of the dealing shoe.

[0182] Various embodiments include methods and apparatus for automatically shuffling and cutting playing cards and delivering the shuffled and cut playing cards to a dispensing shoe without any human intervention once the playing cards have been delivered to the shuffling device. Additionally, the shuffling operation may be performed upon completion of play of each game and upon the beginning of a new game, if desired, thereby completely eliminating the need to shuffle the entire deck of playing cards (which may include, for example, six or eight decks) at once. Preferably, cards to be played are collected in a "dead box" and are withdrawn from the dead box when a sufficient number of cards have been accumulated to be shuffled and cut using the methods of the present invention.

[0183] Various embodiments include a computer controlled shuffling and cutting system provided with a housing having at least one transparent wall, allowing the shuffling and card delivery mechanism to be easily visible to all players and floor management in a casino application. The housing is provided with a reciprocally slidable playing card pusher that is located outside the housing in a first position. A motorized transparent door selectively closes and opens an opening in the transparent wall to allow the slidably mounted card pusher to be moved from its said first position to a second position within the housing. When moved to the second position, the slidably mounted card pusher is withdrawn to the first position, whereupon the playing cards are deposited on a motorized platform that selectively moves vertically upwards or downwards.

[0184] The motorized transparent door is raised to an open position in response to the proper position of the motorized platform detected by suitable sensor means and the depression of a foot or hand operated button accessible to the dealer.

[0185] A motorized platform (or "elevator"), in response to removal of a slidably mounted card pusher and closing of a transparent door, lifts a stack of playing cards stored thereon upwardly toward a shuffling mechanism, where the playing cards are then driven by the shuffling mechanism in two opposite directions away from the stack into first and second card-holding magazines located on opposite sides of the elevator. The shuffling mechanism has motorized rollers rotatable on a reciprocating mounting device, the speed of reciprocation and the rotational speed of the rollers being adjustable. However, alternatively, if desired, the stepper motors used in certain preferred embodiments may be replaced by motors having a fixed output speed, and the speed of reciprocation and the rotational speed may be fixed.

[0186] Upon completion of the shuffling operation, the platform is lowered and the stacks of cards in each of the aforementioned receiving compartments are sequentially pushed back onto the moving elevator by a suitable motor-driven pushing mechanism. The sequence of operation of the pushing mechanisms is randomized by use of a random number generator in the operating computer for controlling the system. These operations can be repeated if desired. Typically, a new card is subjected to these operations two to four times.

[0187] A guide assembly guides the movement of the cards onto the platform, prevents the shuffled cards from being prematurely returned to the elevator platform, and aligns the cards as they drop into the card receiving area and as they are pushed back onto the elevator platform by the motorized pushing mechanism.

[0188] After completing the multiple shuffling and cutting operations, the platform is lowered again and the shuffled and cut cards are moved downwardly towards a movable guide plate having an inclined guide surface.

[0189] As the motor-driven elevator moves downward between the guide plates, the stack of cards engages the inclined guide surface of a substantially U-shaped secondary block member, shifting the stack from a horizontal orientation to a diagonal orientation. At substantially the same time, a "drawbridge-like" assembly consisting of a pair of swingable arms pivotally mounted at their lower ends is swung downward about its pivot pins from a vertical orientation to a diagonal orientation to act as a diagonally aligned guideway. The diagonally aligned stack of cards slides downward along the inclined guide surface onto the drawbridge-like arms, which are moved downward along the inclined guide surface by the U-shaped secondary block member under the control of a stepper motor to ultimately move the cards towards the dealing shoe.

[0190] The primary block with the paddle then moves between the notches of the U-shaped secondary block, thus exerting a forward pressure on the stack of cards. The secondary block then retracts to the home position. The paddle is substantially rectangular and aligned in a diagonal orientation. During initial set-up of the system, the paddle is positioned on the path of movement of the cards to the dealing shoe. The secondary block moves the cut and shuffled card into the dealing shoe, and the paddle is lowered into the path of movement of the cards towards the dealing shoe and moved against the rearmost card in the stack of cards to be delivered to the dealing shoe. When the shuffle and cut operation is performed after the initial set-up, the paddle comes to rest against the rearmost card previously delivered to the dealing shoe. The shuffled and cut card, sliding along the guiding surfaces of the diagonally aligned arms of the drawbridge-like mechanism, comes to rest on the opposite surface of the paddle. The paddle serves to isolate previously delivered playing cards from the dispensing shoe and also provides a slight pushing force to urge the cards towards the output slot of the dispensing shoe, thereby allowing the shuffling and delivery operations to be performed simultaneously with the dispensing of playing cards from the dispensing shoe.

[0191] After all the newly shuffled playing cards have been delivered to the rear end of the dispensing shoe by the U-shaped secondary block, the paddle sandwiched between the two groups of playing cards is lifted to an up position and displaced from the playing cards. The movable paddle mounting assembly is then driven rearward by the motor to position the paddle behind the rearmost playing card just delivered to the dispensing shoe. The paddle is lowered to its home position, and the motor controlling the movement of the paddle assembly is then de-energized, allowing the roll-mounted assembly supporting the paddle to move diagonally downward to provide a force sufficient to propel the playing cards forward toward the playing card dispensing slot of the dealing shoe. The force acting on the paddle assembly is a combination of gravity and the force exerted on the paddle assembly by the constant tension spring assembly. A jogging (or "dither") means causes the paddle to jog or reciprocate in opposite forward and backward directions at periodic intervals, thereby assuring proper alignment, stacking and sliding movement of the stack of playing cards towards the card dispensing slots of the dealing shoe.

[0192] When a game is completed, the cards used in the completed game are typically collected by the dealer and placed in a dead box on the table. The collected cards are later placed in a reciprocating card pusher. The dealer has the option of inserting the cards into the reciprocating slidable card pusher, or alternatively, preferably, may postpone the shuffling operation until a larger number of cards are collected in the reciprocating slidable card pusher. The shuffling and distribution operations may be performed as frequently or infrequently as the dealer or casino management may choose. The shuffling and playing card distribution operations are fully automatic and are performed without human intervention once the cards are inserted onto the elevator platform in the machine. The cards are always within an unobstructed view of the players so that the players and dealer can observe and thereby ensure that the shuffling, cutting and card distribution operations are being performed properly and without jamming and that the machine is working properly. The shuffling and card distribution operations do not conflict with or interfere with the dispensing of cards from the dispensing shoe, thus allowing these operations to be performed substantially simultaneously. This significantly reduces the amount of time spent shuffling, greatly increasing play time and providing a highly efficient random shuffle and cut mechanism.

[0193] The system is controlled by a microcomputer programmed to control the operation of the card shuffling and cutting system. The computer controls the stepper motors through motor drive circuits, an intelligent controller, and an optical isolator that links the intelligent controller to the computer. The computer also monitors a number of sensors to ensure proper operation of each of the system's features.

[0194] Casino Measures Some methods of discouraging card counters include using multiple decks. Shoes containing six or eight decks are common. The more cards there are, the less variance there is in the percentage of cards remaining, and the more difficult it is to count the cards. The player's advantage can also be reduced by shuffling the cards more frequently, but this reduces the amount of time that can be devoted to actual play, thus reducing the casino's profits. Some casinos now use shuffling machines. Some shuffling machines shuffle one set of cards while another set is being played, while others shuffle the cards continuously. The entertainment in the gaming floor environment and the service of alcoholic beverages also act to discourage card counters. Some methods of discouraging card counters include using altered payout structures, such as a blackjack payoff of 6:5, which is more unfavorable to the player than the standard blackjack payoff of 3:2.

[0195] Video Betting Games Video betting games are set up to mimic table games using adaptations of table game rules and cards.

[0196] In some versions of video poker, the player is allowed to examine five cards randomly selected by the computer. These cards are displayed on a video screen, and the player chooses which cards, if any, he wishes to keep. If the player wishes to keep all of the cards, i.e., stand, he presses the "stand" button. If the player wishes to keep only some of the cards, he selects the cards to be kept by pressing the "hold" keys located just below each card displayed on the video screen. After selecting the "keep" cards, the player presses the "deal" button, which automatically and simultaneously replaces the cards not selected with additional cards randomly selected from the remainder of the deck. After the "stand" button is pressed or the cards are replaced, the final held cards are evaluated by the gaming machine's computer, and the player is awarded either playing credits or a coin payout, as determined from a payoff table. The payoff table is stored in the machine's computer memory and is also displayed on the machine's screen. Hands with higher poker values ​​are awarded more credits or coins. Very rare poker hands are awarded payoffs of 800 times or more.

[0197] Figure 2 shows an apparatus for playing games according to some embodiments. There are a number of player units 40-1 to 40-n coupled to a game playing system via a communication system 41, such as the Internet. The game playing system comprises an administrator unit 42, a player register 43 and game units 45. Each unit 40 is typically a personal computer with a display unit and control means (keyboard and mouse).

[0198] When a player logs on to the game playing system, his unit 40 identifies himself to the administrator unit. The system holds the player's details in a register 43. The register 43 contains separate player register units 44-1 to 44-n for every potential player, i.e. for every member of the system.

[0199] Once a player has been identified, the player is assigned to a game unit 45. The game unit includes a set of player data units 46-1 to 46-6, a dealer unit 47, a control unit 48 and a random dealing unit 49.

[0200] Up to seven players can be assigned to a game unit 45. As shown, there can be several such units, and if eight or more members of the system are logged on at the same time, several games can be played simultaneously. The assignment of player units 40 to player data units 46 can be arbitrary or random, depending on which player data units 46 and game units 45 are free. Each player data unit 46 is loaded from a corresponding player register unit 44 and contains essentially the same details as the corresponding player unit 40, and is in communication with the player units 40 to keep the contents of the player units and player data units updated with each other. In addition, appropriate portions of the contents of the other player data units 46 and the dealer unit 47 are passed to the player unit 40 for display.

[0201] The logic unit 48 of the game unit 45 sequences the game unit through the various stages of play, initiates dealer actions and awaits appropriate responses from the player unit 40. A random dealing unit 49 deals cards essentially randomly to the dealer unit 47 and the player data unit 46. At the end of the hand, the logic unit passes the outcome of the hand, i.e. wins and / or losses, to the player data unit 46 to inform the player of the outcome. The administrator unit 42 also receives those results and updates the player register unit 44 accordingly.

[0202] The player unit 40 is configured to show a display. The player's position is highlighted to identify the player. As play progresses, the player selects various boxes, enters bets in the boxes, etc., and the results of those actions are displayed. As cards are dealt, a series of overlapping card symbols are shown in the bonus box. At the player's option, cards can be shown on a line below the boxes, as well as cards dealt to the dealer. At the end of the hand, a message is displayed informing the player of the result of their bet, i.e., the amount won or lost.

[0203] Alternative Technologies It will be understood that the techniques described herein for making, using, or implementing the various embodiments are only a subset of possible techniques that may be used for the same or similar purposes. The particular techniques described herein should not be construed as limiting. Rather, the various embodiments contemplate alternative techniques for making, using, or implementing the various embodiments.

[0204] Incorporation by Reference The following patents and patent applications: US Patent 6579181 US Patent 6,229,536 US Patent 6093103 US Patent 5941769 US Patent 7114718 U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10 / 622,321 US Patent 4515367 US Patent 5000453 US Patent 7137630 US Patent 7137629 is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0205] Sections I through X below provide a guide to the interpretation of this application.

[0206] I. Terminology The term "product" means any machine, manufacture and / or composition of matter, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0207] The term "process" includes any process, algorithm, methodology, etc., unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0208] Each process (whether referred to as a method, algorithm, or otherwise) inherently includes one or more steps, and thus any reference to a "step" or "steps" of a process inherently has antecedent significance merely in that the term "process" or similar term is referenced. Accordingly, any reference in a claim to a "step" or "steps" of a process has sufficient antecedent support.

[0209] The term "invention" and the like means "one or more inventions disclosed in this application" unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0210] The terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments," "the embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "some embodiments," "certain embodiments," "one embodiment," "another embodiment," and the like, unless expressly specified otherwise, mean "one or more embodiments (but not all) of the disclosed invention(s)."

[0211] The term "variant" of an invention means an embodiment of the invention, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0212] A reference to "another embodiment" in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is exclusive of the other embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described prior to the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0213] The terms "including", "having" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to", unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0214] The terms "a" and "an" mean "one or more" unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0215] The term "plurality" means "two or more" unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0216] The term "herein" means "in this application, including anything that may be incorporated by reference," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0217] The phrase "at least one of," when such a phrase modifies a plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things), means any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the phrase "at least one of an apparatus, an automobile, and a wheel" means either (i) the apparatus, (ii) an automobile, (iii) a wheel, (iv) the apparatus and an automobile, (v) the apparatus and a wheel, (vi) an automobile and a wheel, or (vii) the apparatus, the automobile, and a wheel. The phrase "at least one of," when such a phrase modifies a plurality of things, does not mean "one of each" of the plurality of things.

[0218] Numerals such as "1" and "2", when used as cardinal numbers indicating the quantity of something (e.g., 1 unit, 2 units), mean the amount indicated by the unit, and not at least the amount indicated by the unit. For example, "1 unit" does not mean "at least one unit", and thus the phrase "1 unit" does not cover, for example, two units.

[0219] The phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, "based on" describes both "based only on" and "based at least on." The phrase "based at least on" is equivalent to the phrase "based at least in part on."

[0220] The term "represents" and similar terms are not exclusive unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, "represents" does not mean "represents only..." unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, "the data represents a credit card number" describes both "the data represents only a credit card number" and "the data represents a credit card number, and the data also represents something else."

[0221] The term "herein" is used herein only to precede a clause or other word group that expresses only the intended end, purpose or consequence of something expressly recited above. Thus, when the term "herein" is used in a claim, the clause or other word that it modifies will not establish any specific further limitation on that claim or otherwise limit the meaning or scope of that claim.

[0222] The term "for example" or similar terms means "for example," and thus does not limit the term or phrase it describes. For example, in the sentence "a computer sends data (e.g., instructions, data structures) over the Internet," "for example" explains that "instructions" are an example of "data" that a computer can send over the Internet, and that "data structures" are an example of "data" that a computer can send over the Internet. However, both "instructions" and "data structures" are merely examples of "data," and things other than "instructions" and "data structures" can be "data."

[0223] The term "respectively" and similar terms mean "considered individually." Thus, when two or more things have "respective" properties, each of such things has its own property. Those properties may be different from one another, but they need not be. For example, "each of two machines has a respective function" means that a first such machine has a function and a second such machine also has a function. The function of the first machine may or may not be the same as the function of the second machine.

[0224] "That is," and similar terms mean "that is, to" and thus limit the term or phrase it describes. For example, in the sentence "A computer sends data (i.e., instructions) over the Internet," the term "that is, to" describes that the "instructions" are the "data" that a computer sends over the Internet.

[0225] Any given numerical range includes integers and fractions within that range. For example, the range "1 to 10" is interpreted as specifically including integers between 1 and 10 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, ..., 9) and non-integer numbers (e.g., 1.1, 1.2, ..., 1.9).

[0226] When two or more terms or phrases are synonymous (e.g., because of an express statement that the terms or phrases are synonymous), the instance of one such term / phrase does not mean that another instance of such term / phrase must have a different meaning. For example, if a statement indicates that the meaning of "including" is synonymous with "including but not limited to," it does not follow that the term "including" means anything other than "including but not limited to" simply because of the use of the phrase "including but not limited to."

[0227] II.Decision The term "determining" and grammatical variations thereof (e.g., determining a price, determining a value, determining objects that satisfy a condition) are used very broadly. The term "determining" encompasses a wide variety of actions, and thus "determining" can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, finding (e.g., finding in a table, database or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" can also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), and the like. "Determining" can also include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

[0228] The term "determining" does not imply certainty or absolute precision. Thus, "determining" can include estimating, extrapolating, predicting, forecasting, and the like.

[0229] The term "determining" does not imply that mathematical operations must be performed, that a numerical method must be used, or that an algorithm or process must be used.

[0230] The term "determining" does not imply that any particular apparatus must be used, eg, determining does not necessarily have to be computer-executed.

[0231] III. Sentence Form If a limitation in a first claim covers both one feature and more than one feature (e.g., a limitation such as "at least one device" covers both one device and more than one device), and a second claim that refers back to the first claim uses a term such as a definite article indicating such a limitation (e.g., "the device"), this does not imply that the first claim covers only that one feature, nor does it imply that the second claim covers only that one feature (e.g., "the device" can cover both one device and more than one device).

[0232] When an ordinal number (such as "first," "second," "third," etc.) is used as a modifier before a term, the ordinal number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature. For example, a "first device" may be so named merely to distinguish it from, for example, a "second device." Thus, the mere use of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "device" does not indicate any other relationship between the two devices, nor does it indicate any other characteristics of either or both devices. For example, the mere use of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "device" does not (1) indicate that either device comes before or after any other device in order or position; (2) indicate that either device occurs or acts before or after any other device in time; or (3) indicate that either device is ranked higher or lower in importance, quality, etc. than any other device. Moreover, the mere use of an ordinal number does not define a numerical limitation on the feature identified with the ordinal number. For example, the mere use of the ordinal numbers "first" and "second" before the term "device" does not indicate that there cannot be more than two devices.

[0233] When a single device, article or other product is described herein, two or more of the single device / article may alternatively be used in place of the single device / article described (which may or may not cooperate). Thus, functionality that is described as being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by two or more devices / articles (which may or may not cooperate).

[0234] Similarly, when two or more devices, articles or other products are described herein (whether or not the two or more operate in concert), a single device / article may alternatively be used in place of the two or more devices or articles described. For example, multiple computer-based devices may be replaced by a single computer-based device. Thus, various functionality that is described as being possessed by two or more devices or articles may alternatively be possessed by a single device / article.

[0235] The functionality and / or features of a single device described may alternatively be embodied by one or more other devices that are described but not explicitly described as having such functionality / features, and thus other embodiments need not include the described device itself, but may include the one or other devices that would have such functionality / features in such other embodiments.

[0236] IV. Examples and Terminology Disclosed are Not Limiting Neither the Title (which appears at the beginning of the first page of this application) nor the Abstract (which appears at the end of this application) should be construed as limiting in any way the scope of the disclosed invention. The Abstract is included in this application solely because 37 CFR § 1.72(b) requires that Abstracts not exceed 150 words.

[0237] The title of this application and the headings of the sections provided herein are for convenience only and are not to be construed as limiting the disclosure in any way.

[0238] Numerous embodiments have been described and presented herein for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not and are not intended to be limiting in any way. The invention disclosed herein is broadly applicable to numerous embodiments, as will be readily apparent from the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention may be implemented with a variety of modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical, software, and electrical modifications. Although individual features of the disclosed invention may be described with reference to one or more specific embodiments and / or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to use in the one or more specific embodiments or drawings to which the description refers, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0239] No embodiment of a method step or product element described in this application constitutes, is essential to, or is coextensive with the invention claimed herein, unless expressly so stated herein or expressly recited in the claims.

[0240] The preambles of the accompanying claims recite only objects, benefits and possible uses of the claimed invention and do not limit the claimed invention.

[0241] This disclosure is not a verbatim description of all embodiments of the invention, nor is it a listing of features of the invention which must be present in all embodiments.

[0242] Devices that are described as communicating with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless explicitly specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices may only transmit to each other when necessary or desirable, and may refrain from actually exchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine that communicates with other machines over the Internet may not transmit data to the other machines for long periods of time (e.g., weeks at a time). Furthermore, devices that communicate with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

[0243] The description of an embodiment having several components and features does not imply that all of such components / features are required, or even that any of such components / features are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components have been described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the invention. No component / feature is essential or required, unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0244] Although process steps, algorithms, and the like may be described or claimed in a particular sequential order, such processes may be configured to function in different orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be expressly described or claimed does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. Steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order possible. Furthermore, some steps may be performed simultaneously even though they are described or implied as occurring non-concurrently (e.g., because one step is described after another). Furthermore, illustration of a process by depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are required for the invention, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.

[0245] Although a process may be described as including multiple steps, this does not imply that all or any of the steps are preferred, essential, or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other processes that omit some or all of the described steps. No step is essential or required unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0246] Although a process may be described in isolation or without reference to other products or methods, in some embodiments the process may interact with other products or methods. For example, such interactions may include linking one business model to another. Such interactions may be provided to increase the flexibility or desirability of the process.

[0247] Although a product may be described as including multiple components, aspects, properties, characteristics and / or features, this does not imply that any or all of the multiple are preferred, essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other products that omit some or all of the multiple described.

[0248] An enumerated list of items (which may be numbered or unnumbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Similarly, an enumerated list of items (which may be numbered or unnumbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are exhaustive of any category, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the enumerated list of "computers, laptops, PDAs" does not imply that any or all of the three items in the list are exclusive, nor does it imply that any or all of the three items in the list are exhaustive of any category.

[0249] An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are equivalent to each other or readily substituted for one another.

[0250] All embodiments are illustrative and do not imply that the invention or any embodiment, as the case may be, has been made or performed.

[0251] V. Computing Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the various processes described herein may be implemented, for example, by appropriately programmed general purpose computers, special purpose computers, and computing devices. Typically, a processor (e.g., one or more microprocessors, one or more microcontrollers, one or more digital signal processors) receives instructions (e.g., from a memory or similar device) and executes those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes defined by the instructions. The instructions may be embodied, for example, in one or more computer programs, one or more scripts, or the like.

[0252] "Processor" means one or more microprocessors, central processing units (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal processors or similar devices, or any combination thereof, regardless of architecture (e.g., chip-level microprocessing / multicore, RISC, CISC, Microprocessor without Interlocked Pipeline Stages, pipelining architecture, simultaneous multithreading).

[0253] Thus, a description of a process is also a description of an apparatus for performing the process, which may include, for example, a processor and suitable input and output devices for performing the process.

[0254] Additionally, programs implementing such methods (along with other types of data) may be stored and transmitted in any number of ways using a variety of media (e.g., computer-readable media). In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, some or all of the software instructions that can implement the processes of various embodiments. Thus, various combinations of hardware and software may be used in place of software alone.

[0255] The term "computer-readable medium" refers to any medium, a combination of such media, or different media that participate in providing data (e.g., instructions, data structures) that may be read by a computer, a processor, or a similar device. Such media may take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically comprises the main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves, and electromagnetic radiation, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible diskette, a hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, CD-ROMs, DVDs, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with a perforated pattern, RAM, PROM, EPROM, Flash EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described below, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

[0256] Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying data (e.g., sequences of instructions) to a processor. For example, data may be (i) delivered to the processor from a RAM; (ii) carried over a wireless transmission medium; (iii) formatted and / or transmitted in accordance with a number of formats, standards, or protocols, such as Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, Bluetooth, and TCP / IP, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G; and / or (iv) encrypted to ensure privacy or prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways known in the art.

[0257] Thus, a description of a process is also a description of a computer readable medium storing a program for performing the process. The computer readable medium can store (in any suitable format) those program elements appropriate for performing the method.

[0258] Just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicate that all of the described steps are required, apparatus embodiments include computers / computing devices operable to perform some, but not necessarily all, of the described processes.

[0259] Similarly, just as the description of various steps in a process does not indicate that every step described is required, embodiments of a computer-readable medium storing a program or data structures include computer-readable media storing a program that, when executed, can cause a processor to perform a portion, though not necessarily all, of the process described.

[0260] Where databases are described, those skilled in the art will understand that (i) alternative database structures may be readily used in place of those described; and (ii) other memory structures other than databases may be readily used. Any illustrations or descriptions of any sample databases presented herein are exemplary configurations for stored information representation. Any number of other arrangements may be used besides those suggested by tables illustrated in the drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated items of a database represent exemplary information only, and those skilled in the art will understand that the number and content of items may differ from those described herein. Furthermore, even if a database is described as being a table, other formats (such as relational databases, object-based models, and / or distributed databases) can be used to store and manipulate the data types described herein. Similarly, object methods or behaviors of a database can be used to implement the various processes described herein. Furthermore, in a known manner, a database may be stored locally on a device that accesses data in such a database, or may be stored remotely from the device.

[0261] Various embodiments can be configured to function in a network environment including a computer in communication (e.g., via a communications network) with one or more devices. The computer may communicate with the devices directly or indirectly through any wired or wireless medium (e.g., the Internet, a LAN, a WAN or Ethernet, token ring, telephone lines, cable lines, radio channels, optical lines, commercial online service providers, bulletin board systems, satellite communications links, or combinations of any of the above). Each of the devices may itself include a computer or other computing device, such as an Intel® Pentium® or CENTRINO® processor, adapted to communicate with the computer. The number and types of devices in communication with the computer are arbitrary.

[0262] In some embodiments, a server computer or centralized authority may not be necessary or desirable. For example, the present invention may, in some embodiments, be practiced on one or more devices without a central authority. In some embodiments, any functions described herein as being performed by a server computer or data described as being stored on a server computer may instead be performed by and stored on one or more such devices.

[0263] Where a process is described, in some embodiments the process may operate without any user intervention, while in other embodiments the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).

[0264] VI. Continuing Applications This disclosure provides one of ordinary skill in the art with an enabling description of certain embodiments and / or inventions, some of which may not be claimed in this application, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more subsequent applications claiming benefit of priority to this application.

[0265] Applicant intends to file additional applications seeking patents on the subject matter disclosed and enabled but not claimed in this application.

[0266] VII. 35 U.S.C. § 112(6) In a claim, any claim limitation containing the phrase "means for" or the phrase "step for" means that 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 applies to that limitation.

[0267] Any claim limitation that does not contain the phrase "means for" or "step for" means that 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6 does not apply to that limitation, regardless of whether the limitation recites a function without a recitation of structure, materials, or acts for performing that function. For example, the mere use of the phrase "step" or "steps" in a claim to refer to one or more steps in that claim or any other claim does not mean that 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6 applies to those steps.

[0268] With respect to means or steps for performing a specified function under 35 U.S.C. 35 U.S.C. 112, paragraph 6, the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification, and their equivalents, may perform additional functions in addition to the specified functions.

[0269] Computers, processors, computing devices, and similar products are structures that can perform a variety of functions. Such products can be operable to perform specified functions by executing one or more programs, such as programs stored in a memory device of the product or in a memory device accessed by the product. Unless expressly specified otherwise, such programs need not be based on a particular algorithm, such as any particular algorithm that may be disclosed in this application. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a particular function may be implemented via a variety of algorithms, and any of a number of different algorithms is merely a design choice for performing that particular function.

[0270] Thus, with respect to means or steps for performing a particular function under 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 6, a structure corresponding to a particular function includes any product that is programmed to perform that particular function, including any programmed product that performs that function, regardless of whether such product is programmed with (i) a disclosed algorithm for performing that function, (ii) an algorithm similar to the disclosed algorithm, or (iii) a different algorithm for performing that function.

[0271] Where a means for performing a function is described in a method, one structure for performing the method includes a computing device (e.g., a general-purpose computer) programmed and / or configured with appropriate hardware to perform the function.

[0272] Such structures also include a computing device (e.g., a general-purpose computer) programmed and / or configured with appropriate hardware to perform the functions via other algorithms that would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0273] VIII. Disclaimer Numerous references to particular embodiments are not intended to indicate a disclaimer or disclaimer of additional or different embodiments. Similarly, references to descriptions of embodiments, all of which include a particular feature, are not intended to indicate a disclaimer or disclaimer of embodiments that do not include the particular feature. Any explicit disclaimer or disclaimer in this application will be indicated by the phrase "does not include" or by the phrase "cannot perform."

[0274] IX. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE Any patents, patent applications or other documents mentioned herein are incorporated by reference into this application as part of this disclosure, but only for purposes of the written description under 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 1 and enablement requirements under 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph 1, and should not be used to limit, define, or otherwise interpret any language in this application in any manner where the application would not fail to provide an understandable meaning without such incorporation by reference and would permit an understandable meaning for such language to be provided.

[0275] Any incorporation by reference does not, of itself, imply any endorsement, approval or acquiescence of any statements, opinions, arguments or characterizations contained in any incorporated patent, patent application or other document, unless expressly stated otherwise in this application.

[0276] X. Application Process In interpreting this application (including the claims), one of ordinary skill in the art should refer to the prosecution history of this application, but not to the prosecution history of any other patents or patent applications, regardless of whether such other applications may be considered related to this application or may share a common priority claim with this application.

[0277] XI. The following should be construed as embodiments rather than claims.

[0278] A. A processor operable to execute a set of instructions; and a memory having the set of instructions stored thereon, the set of instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to: Dealing a first hand containing a first initial set of cards in a card game; determining at least one first action that is not optional in playing the first hand based at least in part on a set of game rules and the first initial set of cards; providing an indication of the at least one first behavior; determining, after execution of the at least one first action, whether the first hand is a winning hand based at least in part on a first poker ranking of the first hand. system.

[0279] A.1. The system of claim A, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to: Dealing a second hand including a second initial set of cards in a card game; determining at least one second action that is not optional in playing the second hand based at least in part on the set of game rules and the second initial set of cards; providing an indication of the at least one second behavior. system.

[0280] A.1.1. The system of claim A.1, wherein determining whether the first hand is a winning hand includes determining whether the first poker ranking is higher than a poker ranking of a second hand after execution of the at least one second action.

[0281] A.1.2. The system of claim A.1, wherein the first hand is a first player's hand and the second hand is a dealer's hand.

[0282] A.1.3. The system of claim A.1, wherein the first hand is a hand of a first player and the second hand is a hand of a second player.

[0283] A.1.4. Determining said at least one first action: determining a first initial poker ranking of cards of said first initial set; determining second initial poker rankings of cards of said second initial set; determining the at least one first action based at least in part on the set of game rules, the first initial poker ranking, and the second initial poker ranking. The system of claim A.1.

[0284] A.2. The system of claim A, wherein providing an indication of the at least one first action includes displaying instructions to a player of the first hand indicating that the first player must take the at least one first action in order to continue playing the first hand.

[0285] A.3. The system of claim A, wherein providing an indication of the at least one first action includes providing a representation of a result of performing the at least one first action.

[0286] A.4. The system of claim A, wherein dealing includes at least one of: providing physical versions of the first set of cards, providing indicators of each of the first initial set of cards, and determining the first initial set of cards.

[0287] A.5. The system of claim A, wherein the first action includes at least one of replacing one or more of the cards in the first initial set, a betting action, a request for more cards, and a request to not change cards.

[0288] A.6. Determining said at least one first action includes: determining a first initial poker ranking of cards of said first initial set; determining the at least one first action based at least in part on the set of game rules and the first initial poker ranking. The system of claim A.

[0289] A.7. said set of instructions, when executed by said processor, further causes said processor to: dealing a third set of cards to generate a first final set of cards comprising the first hand following execution of the at least one first action. The system of claim A.

[0290] A.7.1. The system of claim A.7, wherein determining whether the first hand is a winning hand comprises determining the first poker ranking based at least in part on the final set of cards.

[0291] B. A processor operable to execute a set of instructions; and a memory having the set of instructions stored thereon, the set of instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to: Dealing a first hand containing a first set of cards in a card game; determining at least one first action, including a wager-related action, that is not optional in the play of the first hand based at least in part on a set of game rules and the first set of cards; providing an indication of the at least one first behavior. system.

[0292] B.1. The system of claim A, wherein the set of game rules requires checking if the poker rankings of the cards in the first set are below a threshold ranking and requiring making a bet if the poker rankings are above the threshold ranking.

[0293] B.2. The system of claim A, wherein the set of game rules requires folding if the poker rankings of the first set of cards are below a first threshold ranking, requiring calling if the poker rankings are below a second threshold ranking but above the first threshold ranking, and requiring raising if the poker rankings are above the second threshold ranking.

[0294] B.3. The system of claim B, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to: Dealing a second hand including a second set of cards in said card game; determining at least one second action, including a wager-related action, that is not optional in the play of the second hand based at least in part on the set of game rules and the second set of cards; providing an indication of the at least one second behavior. system.

[0295] B.3.1. Determining said at least one first action: The system of claim B.3, further comprising determining the at least one first action based at least in part on the set of game rules, the first set of cards and the second set of cards.

[0296] B.4. The system of claim B, wherein providing an indication of the at least one first action includes displaying instructions to a player of the first hand indicating that the first player must take the at least one first action in order to continue playing the first hand.

[0297] B.5. The system of claim B, wherein providing an indication of the at least one first action includes providing a representation of a result of performing the at least one first action.

[0298] B.6. The system of claim B, wherein dealing includes at least one of: providing physical versions of the first set of cards, providing indications of each of the first set of cards, and determining the cards of the first set.

[0299] B.7. Determining said at least one first action includes: determining a first initial poker ranking of cards of said first set; determining the at least one first action based at least in part on the set of game rules and the first initial poker ranking. The system of claim B.

[0300] B.8. said set of instructions, when executed by said processor, further causes said processor to: determining whether the first hand is a winning hand; The system of claim B.

[0301] B.8.1. The system of claim B.8, wherein determining whether the first hand is a winning hand comprises determining whether the first hand is a winning hand based, at least in part, on a first poker ranking of the first hand.

[0302] B.9. The system of claim B, wherein the wager-related actions include at least one of folding, betting and checking, raising and calling.

[0303] B.10. The system of claim B, wherein the wager-related action includes betting an amount dictated by the set of rules.

[0304] Several aspects will be described. [Aspect 1] A processor operable to execute a set of instructions; and a memory having the set of instructions stored thereon, the set of instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to: Dealing a first hand containing a first initial set of cards in a card game; determining at least one first action that is not optional in playing the first hand based at least in part on a set of game rules and the first initial set of cards; providing an indication of the at least one first behavior; determining, after execution of the at least one first action, whether the first hand is a winning hand based at least in part on a first poker ranking of the first hand. system. [Aspect 2] 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to: Dealing a second hand including a second initial set of cards in a card game; determining at least one second action that is not optional in playing the second hand based at least in part on the set of game rules and the second initial set of cards; providing an indication of the at least one second behavior. system. [Aspect 3] The system of claim 2, wherein determining whether the first hand is a winning hand includes determining whether the first poker ranking is higher than a poker ranking of a second hand after execution of the at least one second action. Aspect 4 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first hand is a first player's hand and the second hand is a dealer's hand. Aspect 5 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first hand is a hand of a first player and the second hand is a hand of a second player. Aspect 6 Determining the at least one first action includes: determining a first initial poker ranking of cards of said first initial set; determining second initial poker rankings of cards of said second initial set; determining the at least one first action based at least in part on the set of game rules, the first initial poker ranking, and the second initial poker ranking. 3. The system of embodiment 2. Aspect 7 The system of claim 1, wherein providing an indication of the at least one first action includes displaying instructions to a player of the first hand indicating that the first player must take the at least one first action in order to continue playing the first hand. Aspect 8 2. The system of embodiment 1, wherein providing an indication of the at least one first action includes providing a representation of a result of performing the at least one first action. Aspect 9 The system of aspect 1, wherein dealing includes at least one of: providing physical versions of the first set of cards, providing indicators of each of the first initial set of cards, and determining the first initial set of cards. Aspect 10 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first action includes at least one of replacing one or more of the cards in the first initial set, a betting action, a request for more cards, and a request not to change the cards. Aspect 11 Determining the at least one first action includes: determining a first initial poker ranking of cards of said first initial set; determining the at least one first action based at least in part on the set of game rules and the first initial poker ranking. 2. The system of embodiment 1. Aspect 12 The set of instructions, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to: dealing a third set of cards to generate a first final set of cards comprising the first hand following execution of the at least one first action. 2. The system of embodiment 1. Aspect 13 13. The system of claim 12, wherein determining whether the first hand is a winning hand includes determining the first poker ranking based at least in part on the final set of cards. Aspect 14 A processor operable to execute a set of instructions; and a memory having the set of instructions stored thereon, the set of instructions, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to: Dealing a first hand containing a first set of cards in a card game; determining at least one first action, including a wager-related action, that is not optional in the play of the first hand based at least in part on a set of game rules and the first set of cards; providing an indication of the at least one first behavior. system. Aspect 15 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the set of game rules requires checking if the poker rankings of the cards of the first set are below a threshold ranking and requiring a bet if the poker rankings are above the threshold ranking. Aspect 16 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the set of game rules requires folding if the poker rankings of the cards of the first set are lower than a first threshold ranking, requiring calling if the poker rankings are lower than a second threshold ranking but higher than the first threshold ranking, and requiring raising if the poker rankings are higher than the second threshold ranking. Aspect 17 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the set of instructions, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to: Dealing a second hand including a second set of cards in said card game; determining at least one second action, including a wager-related action, that is not optional in the play of the second hand based at least in part on the set of game rules and the second set of cards; providing an indication of the at least one second behavior. system. Aspect 18 Determining the at least one first action includes: 20. The system of claim 17, further comprising determining the at least one first action based at least in part on the set of game rules, the first set of cards and the second set of cards. Aspect 19 15. The system of claim 14, wherein providing an indication of the at least one first action includes displaying instructions to a player of the first hand, the instructions indicating that the first player must take the at least one first action in order to continue playing the first hand. Aspect 20 15. The system of embodiment 14, wherein providing an indication of the at least one first action includes providing a representation of a result of performing the at least one first action. Aspect 21 The system of embodiment 14, wherein dealing includes at least one of: providing physical versions of the first set of cards, providing indicators of each of the first set of cards, and determining the cards of the first set. Aspect 22 Determining the at least one first action includes: determining a first initial poker ranking of cards of said first set; determining the at least one first action based at least in part on the set of game rules and the first initial poker ranking. The system of embodiment 14. Aspect 23 The set of instructions, when executed by the processor, further causes the processor to: determining whether the first hand is a winning hand; The system of embodiment 14. Aspect 24 24. The system of claim 23, wherein determining whether the first hand is a winning hand includes determining whether the first hand is a winning hand based at least in part on a first poker ranking of the first hand. Aspect 25 15. The system of embodiment 14, wherein the bet-related actions include at least one of folding, betting and checking, raising and calling. Aspect 26 15. The system of embodiment 14, wherein the bet-related action comprises betting an amount dictated by the set of rules. [Explanation of symbols]

[0305] 40 Player Units 42 Administrator 43 Player Register 45 Game Units 47 Dealer 48 Logic 49 Random

Claims

[Claim 1] A gaming table, the gaming table comprising: Surface and A gaming chip detector; A card detector; A display screen; A memory for storing game rules; at least one processor; The at least one processor comprises: storing game rules in said memory; detecting a value of each gaming chip placed on the surface of the gaming table using the gaming chip detector; using the card detector to detect a bar code on each card on the surface of the gaming table; identifying a respective value or suit of each card on the surface of the gaming table based on the barcode; comparing the value or suit indicative characteristic of each card with the respective value of each gaming chip on said face; determining whether there is an irregularity in the identified characteristics for a given card; in response to determining that the identified characteristic for the given card has an irregularity, issuing an alert; storing in said memory said respective values ​​of each gaming chip and said respective values ​​or suits of each card; calculating an outcome of the game based on said respective values ​​of each gaming chip, said respective values ​​or suits of each card, and said game rules; determining which action a participant of the game should take based at least in part on the game rules stored in the memory and at least one first card characteristic of a first set of cards, and displaying the determined action through a user interface; determining whether a participant of the game needs to raise to continue in the game based at least in part on the game rules stored in the memory and at least one first card characteristic of a first set of cards; in response to the participant determining that he or she needs to raise, the at least one processor prompts a first raise in the game; determining whether the participant will win the game based on at least one second card characteristic of at least one card of the first set of cards; and Displaying the result on the display screen. Game table.

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