Dynamic Wild Card Assignment in Video Poker Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for new video poker games that combine the pay structures of standard non-wild video poker games with the excitement of wild card games, providing unique and enticing features to enhance player interest and increase time spent on machines, while offering non-wild pays for wild card play.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a video poker game where players can make a side bet to utilize a wild card option, with cards matching the house hand by rank, suit, and/or position becoming wild cards, allowing for dynamic gameplay and enhanced winning opportunities without significantly lowering the paytable, and offering additional payouts such as wild royal and 5-of-a-kind.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wild card games are used, then player excitement and engagement are improved, but paytable values deteriorate (lower pays for winning combinations)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic wild card assignment where the wild card position changes based on the player's held cards rather than being fixed. This dynamic adjustment allows the game to adapt to player decisions, providing excitement through potential wild card benefits while maintaining controlled paytable values through programmed assignment rules that balance player rewards with house edge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of wild card assignment from static (fixed position) to conditional (based on held cards). This parameter change enables the game to offer wild card benefits selectively, enhancing player excitement when advantageous while preserving traditional paytable integrity through controlled assignment conditions and alternative payout structures.
2Ease of operation
If automatic wild card assignment is implemented, then gameplay complexity is reduced, but player skill element deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically assigns wild cards based on the player's held cards, eliminating the need for manual wild card selection. This self-service approach simplifies gameplay by removing complex decision-making about wild card placement while preserving skill element through the player's strategic card holding decisions that trigger beneficial wild card assignments.
Solution Approach 2:
The automatic wild card assignment system provides feedback-based gameplay where the system responds to the player's held cards by assigning wild cards strategically. This feedback mechanism maintains skill element through cause-and-effect relationships (player holdings trigger wild card assignments) while reducing operational complexity by automating the assignment process.
3Productivity
If traditional wild card games are used, then winning frequency is improved, but player confidence in fair play deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines wild card assignments based on the player's held cards before replacement cards are dealt. This preliminary action ensures transparency and fairness by establishing wild card positions in advance based on visible player decisions, building player confidence while maintaining winning frequency through strategic wild card placement that benefits legitimate poker hands.
Data Source
AI summary
A video poker game including a wild card feature is provided. For a play of the video poker game, a predetermined number of cards are randomly dealt from a players standard deck of 52 cards to form an initial player hand. If the player made a side bet, at least one up to the predetermined number of cards are simultaneously dealt from a separate deck to form a house hand. Any cards in the initial player hand that match any cards in the house hand are automatically changed into a wild card. The player chooses which cards to hold and which cards to discard from the initial player hand. Replacement cards for the discarded cards are dealt from the remainder of cards in the players deck to form a final player hand. The final player hand is evaluated according to a predetermined paytable and any awards are provided.