Segmented Wagering Game System for Accessible Poker
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Solution Overview
Problem
Novice players are deterred from participating in traditional cardroom poker games due to the high skill requirements and large bankrolls needed for success, prompting a need for accessible poker variants that require less expertise.
Innovation Solution
A wagering game system and method that involves dealing a player hand in segments, with partial hands being compared to a pay table for rewards, allowing for multiple wagers and the use of electronic representations of playing cards or physical game pieces, and optionally using a bonus deck for varied pay outs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional cardroom poker games are used, then skill development and strategic depth are improved, but accessibility for novice players deteriorates due to high skill requirements and large bankroll needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional poker game into multiple independent wagering opportunities. Instead of a single all-or-nothing hand evaluation, players can place separate wagers on different aspects of their hand (e.g., high card, pair, straight, flush, full house, four of a kind). This segmentation allows novice players to succeed in specific categories without needing master-level skill across all poker strategies, while still providing skill development opportunities in each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the evaluation parameters by introducing multiple pay tables with different ranking requirements and payout structures. Each pay table can have customized hand ranking thresholds, allowing the game to adapt to different skill levels. Novice players can choose pay tables with lower thresholds that are more achievable, while experienced players can target higher-paying tables with stricter requirements.
2Ease of operation
If house-banked poker games are used, then accessibility for novice players is improved, but player engagement and excitement deteriorate due to limited winning opportunities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single wager into multiple segmented wagers, each evaluating a different aspect of the player's hand. This creates multiple independent opportunities for winning, so that even if a player loses on some segments, they can still win on others. This segmentation dramatically increases the frequency of wins compared to traditional house-banked games where a single losing hand ends all wagering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the player's single hand serve multiple functions by evaluating it against multiple pay tables simultaneously. The same hand can win on different pay tables based on different criteria (e.g., winning on the high card pay table with a King, and also winning on the pair pay table with a pair of Kings). This multi-functionality increases winning opportunities while maintaining house bank advantage through the structure of individual pay tables.
3Productivity
If multiple partial hand wagers are allowed, then player engagement and winning opportunities are improved, but game complexity and rule understanding deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service evaluation where each partial hand wager automatically evaluates against its corresponding pay table criteria without requiring player interpretation. The system independently determines whether the player's hand meets the requirements for each wager type, eliminating the need for players to understand complex interaction rules between multiple wagers. Each wager stands alone with clear, simple win/loss criteria.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different evaluation criteria (local qualities) to different segments of the same hand. Each pay table has its own specific requirements and weighting, allowing simple, intuitive rules for each individual wager type while the system handles the complexity of coordinating multiple evaluations simultaneously. Players only need to understand the simple criteria for each wager type, not the complex interactions between them.
4Productivity
If bonus decks with varied pay outs are used, then player engagement and excitement are improved, but game unpredictability and bankroll management difficulties increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic pay tables that can change based on game conditions, player choices, or random selection. Bonus decks activate alternative pay tables with different payout structures, creating dynamic variations in winning potential. This dynamism maintains engagement by preventing the game from becoming predictable, while the house maintains control through pre-calibrated expected return values in each pay table configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the payout parameters by switching between different pay tables with varying reward structures. Bonus decks trigger parameter changes in the pay tables, offering different payout ratios for the same hand rankings. This allows the house to manage overall expected return while creating exciting variations that keep players engaged, with each pay table configuration mathematically balanced to maintain house advantage.
Data Source
AI summary
A hand wager and at least one partial hand wager are received. A player hand is dealt. As the player hand is dealt, the partial hand wager(s) may be resolved based on the partial player hands formed from a subset of the player hand. Specifically, partial player hands are compared to a pay table and a payout, if any, associated with the partial player hand is issued. The hand wager is resolved by comparing the player hand to the pay table. The player hand may be formed using replacement playing cards, community playing cards, or may be formed in any other way, depending on the optional embodiment. In an optional embodiment, a deck may be randomly selected from multiple decks prior to dealing a player hand. If the selected deck is a bonus deck, the pay table may be replaced with a bonus pay table.