Real-time gaming or activity system and methods

An on-line interactive card gaming method, the method comprising:

• dealing, at a first location, one or more playing cards associated to a first participant by placing the one or more cards within a first participant viewing area;
• generating a first video signal comprising an image of the first participant viewing area thereby generating an image of the one or more playing cards placed therein;
• transmitting the first video signal to a first remote participant at a second location;
• dealing, at the first location, one or more playing cards associated to a second participant by placing the one or more cards within a second participant viewing area;
• generating a second video signal comprising an image of the second participant viewing area thereby generating an image of the one or more playing cards placed therein;
• transmitting the second video signal to a one of the first remote participant and a second remote participant at a second location;
• and
• receiving, at the first location, input from the first remote participant, the input operable for affecting the on-going game.

A gaming system comprising,

• a gaming table residing at a first location, the gaming table having a plurality of predefined areas on the table;
• a plurality of cameras corresponding to the plurality of predefined areas, each of the plurality of cameras operable for viewing the respective predefined areas and generating a video signal comprising an image of an object placed within the predefined area;
• means for transmitting the plurality of video signals generated by the plurality of cameras over a network to one or more players geographically remote from the first location;
• and
• means for receiving input from the one or more remote players.