Electronic card table and method with host console

A system, as set forth in claim 10, the host console for establishing parameters of the timed game.

A system, as set forth in claim 31, the selected wagering structure being one of limit, no-limit, and pot-limit.

A method for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players on an electronic card table using a host console and a server computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface, a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, and a central display area located in a central location of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the method comprising:

• configuring the electronic player interaction areas and the central display area and establishing parameters of the electronic card game using the host console;
• and,
• administering the electronic card game, by the game computer, using virtual cards and chips.

A method, as set forth in claim 67, the selected wagering structure being one of limit, no-limit, and pot-limit.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing-a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for allowing the operator to turn the at least one electronic card table on and off.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table being able to play a plurality of card games and having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console for allowing the operator to select one of the plurality of card games to be played at the at least one electronic card table.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console for establishing parameters of the electronic card game, wherein the parameters are time related and/or include wager limits and/or indicate the card game as a timed game or a non-timed game.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer for monitoring players who log onto the electronic player interact areas;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for signaling the operator of the host console if a designated player logs on.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer for establishing a rate of play of hands at the at least one electronic card table;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console the user interface for displaying the rate of play of hands.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for allowing the operator to adjust a stack of virtual chips associated with one of the players.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for establishing or modifying one or more game profiles, each game profile including parameters for a card game which may be played on the electronic card table.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for establishing parameters of the electronic card game, the parameters including game type and/or play timing and/or minimum number of players.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for allowing the operator to start and/or stop and/or hibernate play of the electronic card game at the electronic card table.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for allowing the operator to monitor play of the electronic card game at the electronic card table.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for allowing the operator to open and close the electronic card table and/or start ring or tournament games and/or start or restart or turn off or reboot the electronic player interaction areas.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for allowing the operator to select a wagering structure for the electronic card game.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for allowing the operator to record information regarding a player.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for allowing the operator to replay a hand of the electronic card game.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer for receiving an alert initiated by one of the players;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for signaling the operator in response to having received the alert.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for displaying diagnostic and/or option information for the electronic card table and/or the electronic player interaction areas and/or the game computer.

A device for use with a system for providing an electronic card game to a plurality of players, the system including at least one electronic card table and a game computer, the electronic card table having a table top with a playing surface and a plurality of electronic player interaction areas located around a periphery of the table top, each electronic player interaction area providing a player interface for interaction with one of the players, the game computer having a game computer coupled to the plurality of electronic player interaction areas for administering the electronic card game using virtual cards and chips, comprising:

• a host console coupled to the game computer;
• and,
• a user interface implemented on the host console for use by an operator of the host console, the user interface for displaying a graphical representation of the electronic card table.