Multi-Player Video Poker System Using Segmented Decks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video poker games are limited to individual play against the house, where payouts are made by the house, and there is no option for players to compete against each other, which is undesirable for players seeking to wager and receive payouts directly from opposing players.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented video poker system that allows multiple players to play against each other using separate standard 52-card decks, where players can place wagers, hold, fold, or replace cards, and receive payouts from other players minus a rake taken by the house, with a central or local game server managing the game across multiple gaming units or mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If video poker is played as an individual game against the house, then the game structure is simple and easy to operate, but players cannot compete against each other and payouts must come from the house
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the game into separate player segments, each with their own deck and hand, while maintaining a unified competitive structure. This allows multiple players to play simultaneously against each other rather than against the house, enabling multi-player capability while managing complexity through modular game segments
Solution Approach 2:
The gaming system is designed to serve multiple functions: it can handle individual play and multi-player competition, manage multiple decks simultaneously, and process payouts from player winnings rather than house funds. This multi-functionality enables the system to adapt to different game modes and player configurations
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple players play against each other with separate decks, then payouts can be made from opposing players, but the game management becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Each player is assigned a separate deck and plays their hand independently, segmenting the game management into discrete player units. This simplifies deck management by treating each player-deck combination as an independent module that can be managed separately by the gaming system
Solution Approach 2:
The gaming system acts as an intermediary that manages the multiple decks and coordinates the game flow between players. Rather than requiring direct player-to-player deck management, the system mediates the game process, handling card dealing, hand evaluation, and payout distribution automatically
3Loss of energy
If the house takes a rake from player wagers, then the house generates revenue, but the payout pool is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Players fund the payout pool through their own wagers and the rake taken from them, creating a self-sustaining system where the house takes a small fee but the majority of payouts come from player winnings rather than house funds. This allows the house to generate revenue while maintaining a substantial payout pool funded by the players themselves
Data Source
AI summary
A method of playing a video poker game comprising: inviting a plurality of players to play a video poker game, wherein each participating player plays an individual hand dealt from a separate standard 52 card deck for that participating player; placing a wager to begin play by each participating player, wherein there is at least two participating players; dealing five cards to each participating player face up from the separate standard 52 card deck for that participating player, wherein each participating player may one of: hold, fold, or replace any of the five cards; dealing replacement cards to each participating player from the separate standard 52 card deck for that participating player for each participating player who selects to replace any of the five card dealt to that participating player; determining if any of the participating players has a winning wager by verifying if remaining five cards of each participating player matches a poker hand stated on a pay table; and paying each participating player having a winning wager from the wager placed by each participating player.