Device and method for continuously shuffling and monitoring cards for specialty games

A card handler comprising:

• a card counting system that maintains a count of all cards within the apparatus;
• a card staging area for receiving cards to be handled;
• a plurality of card-receiving compartments, the card staging area and the compartments are relatively movable;
• a card mover generally between the staging area and the compartments for moving a card from the staging area into one of the compartments;
• a microprocessor programmed to identify each card in the card staging area and to actuate the card mover to move an identified card to a randomly selected compartment, wherein the microprocessor is programmable to deliver a selected number of cards to a compartment;
• a drive system responsive to the microprocessor for providing relative motion between the card mover and the compartments;
• and
• a counting system for counting cards within specified areas within the card handler.

A playing card handler comprising:

• a card counting system that maintains a count of all cards within the apparatus;
• a stack of compartments for accumulating cards in at least one compartment;
• a microprocessor programmed to randomly select the compartment which receives each card in a manner sufficient to accomplish randomly arranging the cards in each compartment, wherein the microprocessor is programmable to deliver a selected number of cards to a selected number of compartments;
• a card staging area for receiving a stack of cards to be handled, wherein the stack of compartments is movable with respect to the card staging area;
• card moving means responsive to output signals from the microprocessor for moving between the staging area and the stack of mixing compartments;
• a card mover for moving cards from the compartments to a second card receiver;
• and
• the microprocessor performing as a counting system for counting cards within specified areas within the card handler.

A method of substantially continuously resupplying randomly arranged cards, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a card receiver for receiving cards to be processed;
• providing a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver and means for moving the stack relative to a card moving mechanism;
• providing a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack and moving cards from the card receiver to the card-receiving compartments;
• providing a second card receiver for receiving processed cards;
• providing a second card moving mechanism for moving cards from the compartments to the second card receiver;
• and
• counting cards within specified areas within the card handler.

A device for delivering shuffled cards comprising:

• a card counting system that maintains a count of all cards within the device;
• a card receiver for receiving at least one stack of unshuffled cards;
• a plurality of individual compartments;
• a first card mover for moving each card in the stack individually from the card receiver to a compartment;
• a second card mover for moving cards from a compartment to a second card receiver upon demand;
• and
• a processing unit programmed to control the first card mover and the second card mover, wherein the processing unit randomly assigns each card in the stack to a compartment, and controls the first card mover and the second card movers upon demand.

A method of performing a security check on a card handling system used at a gaming table comprising:

• providing a card counting system that maintains a count of all cards within the apparatus;
• providing a card receiver for receiving cards to be processed;
• providing a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver and means for moving the stack;
• providing a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack and moving cards from the card receiver to the card-receiving compartments;
• providing a second card receiver for receiving processed cards;
• providing a second card moving mechanism for moving cards from the compartments to the second card receiver;
• and
• counting cards within specified areas within the card handler during a period wherein cards are moved within the card handling system;
• delivering a subset of from 4 to 6 cards from the second card receiver;
• removing the subset of 4 to 6 cards from the second card receiver for determining the outcome of a game.

A card shuffling apparatus capable of delivering a continuous supply of shuffled cards on demand, the apparatus comprising:

• a card counting system that maintains a count of all cards within the apparatus;
• a card shuffling chamber for randomizing cards;
• a card receiver and feed mechanism for receiving and feeding unshuffled cards into the shuffling chamber;
• at least one sensor for sensing the presence of a card as the card is being fed into the shuffling chamber;
• at least one sensor for sensing the presence of a card as the card is being removed from the shuffling chamber;
• a mechanism for removing cards from the shuffling chamber on demand to provide a continuous supply of shuffled cards;
• a visual display;
• and
• a microprocessor,
• wherein the microprocessor is programmed to:
• receive signals from sensors and count cards entering and being removed from the shuffling chamber and to maintain a count of cards present in the shuffling chamber;
• receive instructions from an apparatus user to initiate a card counting process,
• wherein the card counting process includes discontinuing of operation of the card removal process, pausing until cards outside of the shuffling chamber are loaded into the feed mechanism, receiving an indication from the at least one sensor for sensing the presence of a card as the card is being fed into the shuffling chamber and the at least one sensor for sensing the presence of a card as the card is being removed from the shuffling chamber of an indication of current card count status on the visual display.

An apparatus for continuously shuffling playing cards, said apparatus comprising:

• a card counting system that maintains a count of all cards within the apparatus;
• a card receiver for receiving a first group of cards;
• a single stack of card-receiving compartments generally adjacent to the card receiver, said stack generally vertically movable, and means for moving the stack;
• a card-moving mechanism between the card receiver and the stack;
• a processing unit that controls the card-moving mechanism and the means for moving the stack so that cards placed in the card receiver are moved into a selected number of compartments;
• and
• a second card receiver for receiving cards from the compartments
• the card receiver for receiving the first group of cards supporting the cards so that gravity applies a force against the cards and maintains an inter-operative position between the cards and the card moving mechanism.