Gaming system, gaming device, and method for providing a sports-based card game

A gaming machine for playing a card-based wagering game, the machine comprising:

• a housing;
• an electronic display device disposed on the housing;
• an electronic input device disposed on the housing, wherein the electronic input device is configured to receive a physical or wireless input,
• at least one memory device disposed on the housing;
• at least one electronic processing device disposed on the housing, wherein the processing device is operably connected to the at least one memory device, the display device, and the electronic input device, and wherein the memory stores computer readable instructions for the processor that, when executed, cause the processor to:
• (a) provide a virtual deck of cards, wherein the virtual cards in the deck have been selected from a virtual pool of cards, the cards in the pool being divided into player position categories and the deck comprising multiple virtual cards from each of the player position categories, wherein the virtual cards comprise identifying information and real-life statistics related to player's action in real-life sporting events, and wherein the cards in the deck have been selected from the pool of cards such that the probability of the cards in the deck generating a winning total based on a predetermined pay table is maintained within a pre-determined range;
• (b) randomly select, via the electronic processing device, a hand of a designated quantity of cards from a virtual deck of cards;
• (c) display, via the display device, the randomly selected cards face-up;
• (d) enable a user to select, via the input devices, which, if any, of the displayed cards to keep for the current hand;
• (e) discard, via the electronic processing device, any displayed cards not kept for the current hand;
• (f) complete the hand by, for each of any discarded cards of the hand, randomly selecting, via the electronic processing device, one of the cards remaining in the virtual deck of cards, and displaying, via the display device, that randomly selected card in place of any of the discarded cards;
• (g) randomly select a statistic from among the real-life statistics related to player's actions in real-life sporting events for each card in the user's hand and display the selected statistic on the card as a score;
• (h) evaluate, via the electronic processing device, the completed hand and scores for a winning total;
• and
• (i) display, via the display device, any awards or payout values associated with any winning total formed by the completed hand.

A method of conducting a wagering game on a video gaming system comprising a processor, a video display, and a player input controls, the method comprising:

• (a) the processor providing a virtual deck of cards, wherein the virtual cards in the deck have been selected from a virtual pool of cards, the cards in the pool being divided into player categories and the deck comprising multiple virtual cards from each of the player categories, wherein the virtual cards comprise identifying information and real-life statistics related to player's action in real-life sporting events;
• (b) the processor recognizing at least one first wager from a player input control associated with a user;
• (c) the processor dealing a quantity of virtual cards from the virtual deck to generate a hand;
• (d) displaying, via the display device, the cards in the hand face up to the user;
• (e) the processor enabling the user to select, via an input device, which, if any, of the displayed cards to keep for the current hand;
• (f) the processor discarding any displayed cards not selected by the user to be kept for the current hand;
• (g) the processor completing the hand by, for each of any discarded cards of the hand, randomly selecting one of the cards remaining in the virtual deck of cards, and displaying, via the display device, that randomly selected card in place of any of the discarded cards;
• (h) the processor enabling the user, via an input device, to place a bet or to fold and exit the hand;
• (i) the processor randomly selecting a statistic from among the real-life statistics related to player's actions in real-life sporting events for each card in the user's hand and displaying the selected statistic on the card as a score;
• (j) the processor evaluating the completed hand for any of a plurality of winning score totals or card combinations on a pay table;
• and
• (k) the processor displaying, via the display device, any awards associated with any winning score totals or card combinations formed by the completed hand.