Virtual video stream manager

A system for a casino card game adapted for play by both local players and remote players at a gaming table;

• said gaming table having means for detecting the location of cards during the play of said casino card game.
• A plurality of video cameras, each having a lens angle subtending at least a portion of said gaming table;
• Means for selecting one of said video cameras in response to a detected state of play and a detected location of said cards;
• and
• A network manager for transferring a video stream generated by said selected video camera to at least one remote player.

A method for providing a video stream to a remote player so that said remote player may participate in the play of a casino game at a gaming table located in a casino;

• said method comprising the steps of:
• Initiating a play of a casino game;
• Transmitting a video stream to said remote player a video stream from a first camera, said video stream subtending substantially all of said gaming table;
• Detecting an intermediate state in the play of said casino game;
• Automatically terminating the transmission from said first camera and initiating transmission to said remote player a video stream from a second camera having a field of view comprising the a portion of said gaming table in response to said detecting step;
• Detecting the conclusion of play of said casino game;
• Automatically terminating the transmission from said first camera and initiating transmission to said remote player a video stream from a third camera displaying the result of the play of said casino game.

An interactive casino where both local players and remote players may participate in the play of a casino game, said casino comprising:

• A plurality of zones, each zone having a plurality of video cameras;
• A radio frequency detector circuit, carried by one of said local players;
• Means for determining the zone where said one of said local players is located;
• Means for selecting one of said plurality of cameras in the zone where said local player is located;
• and
• A network manager for transmitting the video from said selected camera to said remote player.

An interactive casino where both local players and remote players may participate in the play of a casino game at a gaming table;

• said gaming table having means for detecting the location of gaming objects during the play of said casino game, said interactive casino comprising:
• A plurality of video cameras, each having a lens angle subtending at least a portion of said gaming table;
• A second plurality of video cameras each of said second plurality of video cameras having a field of view showing the at least one of the local players at said gaming table;
• Means for selecting one of said first or second plurality of video cameras in response to a detected state of play;
• and
• A network manager for transferring a video stream generated by said selected video camera to at least one remote player.