Card Handling Device for Pai Gow Poker Hand Setting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Casino table card games like pai gow poker face challenges due to complex house way rules that are difficult for dealers to follow, leading to incorrect hand settings and slow gameplay, which reduces profitability for casinos.

Innovation Solution

A system with an automatic card shuffler and processor that reads card ranks and suits, providing instructions on how to set hands according to house way rules, displayed on a monitor to assist dealers and players, ensuring correct hand settings and faster gameplay.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dealers manually set hands according to house way rules, then players can receive correct hand settings, but the gameplay speed decreases and errors increase due to rule complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand setting accuracyVSAvoidgameplay speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the table device to automatically determine and display house way hand settings without requiring dealer intervention or player requests. The processor automatically receives card information, applies house way rules, and displays the optimal hand configuration, making the system self-sufficient in providing accurate hand settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/manual process of dealers physically arranging cards and memorizing complex house way rules with an automated electronic system. The processor electronically receives card rank and suit information, computationally determines optimal hand settings based on programmed house way rules, and displays results, substituting human cognitive and manual processes with automated computational logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If players make strategic decisions on hand setting, then game engagement increases, but gameplay speed decreases due to repeated setting and rechecking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrategic decision-makingVSAvoidhand setting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically determining and displaying the optimal house way hand settings before players need to make decisions. The processor pre-calculates the correct hand configuration based on received card information and house way rules, presenting the solution to players in advance, thereby eliminating the time-consuming trial-and-error process of manual hand setting and rechecking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If dealers are taught house way rules, then correct hand setting is possible, but training difficulty and time requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverule complianceVSAvoiddealer training

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system eliminates the need for dealer expertise in house way rules by making the determination process self-service. The processor automatically applies programmed house way rules to received card information and displays optimal hand settings, freeing dealers from the burden of memorizing and correctly applying complex rules while ensuring consistent rule compliance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the human cognitive system required for remembering and applying complex house way rules with an automated electronic processor. The processor contains programmed house way rule logic and automatically determines correct hand settings, replacing the need for dealer training and knowledge while ensuring consistent rule application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If casinos use pai gow poker with player decision-making, then player popularity increases, but profit margins decrease due to slow gameplay

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidtables per hour

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements preliminary action by automatically determining and displaying optimal hand settings before players need to act. The processor pre-calculates house way hand configurations based on received card information, presenting ready-made solutions to players that maintain engagement while eliminating the time-consuming manual setting and rechecking process, thereby increasing tables per hour.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10410465B2Physical playing card gaming systems and related methods

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 LNW GAMING INC

AI summary

A physical playing card gaming system includes a gaming table including at least one dealer position and at least one player position. The system includes a physical playing card handling device that is configured to read at least one of a card rank and card suit of physical playing cards. The system also includes at least one processor in communication with the physical playing card handling device and a video monitor. The at least one processor is programmed to determine the composition of at least one dealer hand and at least one player hand based on the at least one of card rank and card suit read. The at least one processor is programmed to cause game information based on the determined hands to be displayed in response to dealer input. Methods of operating such a physical playing card gaming system include displaying the game information upon dealer request.