Automatic card shuffler

An automatic card shuffler comprising:

• a processor;
• a pre-shuffle bin configured to receive one or more decks of cards;
• a device configured to successively raise and lower a base of said pre-shuffle bin responsive to each of two or more specific cards being randomly selected from said one or more decks of cards;
• a card-selector assembly having an upper body and stationary lower body, said upper body movable horizontally relative to said stationary lower body, said card-selector assembly configured to successively break said one or more decks of cards into an upper group of cards and an offset lower group of cards such that said two or more specific cards successively become a bottom card of said upper group of cards, said card-selector assembly including said pre-shuffle bin;
• a drive mechanism positioned to propel each of said two or more specific cards, one after each successive break of said one or more decks of cards, from said upper group of cards to form a game hand;
• and
• wherein said processor is programmed to control said device to move said base to allow said. drive mechanism to successively propel said two or more specific cards, one after each successive break of said one or more decks of cards, from said one or more decks of cards in an order to minimize a movement of said base.

A method of shuffling cards comprising:

• configuring an automatic card shuffler for:
• (i) accepting one or more decks of cards into a pre-shuffle bin;
• (ii) randomly identifying a specific card in said one or more decks of cards based on a position of said specific card in said one or more decks of cards;
• (iii) vertically moving a base of said pre-shuffle bin upward or downward to a position where an upper body of said automatic card shuffler moves horizontally relative to a lower body breaking said one or more decks of cards into an offset upper group of cards and lower group of cards whereby a bottom card of said upper group of cards is said specific card;
• and
• (iv) propelling said specific card from said pre-shuffle bin via a drive mechanism positioned proximate to said pre-shuffle bin and below said upper body when said upper body is moved horizontally.

A method of shuffling cards comprising:

• configuring an automatic card shuffler for:
• (i) accepting one or more decks of cards into a pre-shuffle bin;
• (ii) randomly identifying two or more specific cards in said one or more decks of cards based on a position of said two or more specific cards in said one or more decks of cards;
• (iii) determining an order of removing said two or more specific cards from said one or more decks of cards to minimize a time necessary' to remove said identified two or more specific cards from said one or more decks of cards;
• (iv) vertically moving a base of said pre-shuffle bin upward or downward based on the order determined in step (iii) allowing an upper body of said automatic card shuffler to move horizontally relative to a lower body of said automatic card shuffler breaking said one or more decks of cards into an offset upper group of cards and lower group of cards whereby said bottom card of said upper group of cards is a specific card;
• (v) propelling each of said two or more specific cards from said pre-shuffle bin to form a game hand via a drive mechanism positioned proximate to. and lower than, said upper body;
• (vi) detecting removal of said game hand from said pre-shuffle bin using one or more sensors;
• and
• (vii) repeating steps (ii) through (v) until a pre-established number of game hands have been propelled from said pre-shuffle bin.

An automatic card shuffling system comprising:

• a card shuffling device comprising:
• a pre-shuffle bin;
• a card-shuffling mechanism for shuffling cards placed into said pre-shuffle bin;
• a post-shuffle bin for receiving cards shuffled by said card-shuffling mechanism;
• and
• a post-shuffle bin sensor configured to detect when said cards in said post-shuffle bin have been removed;
• a rake drop device, configured to receive at least game chips, integrated into a gaming table on which said card shuffling device is positioned, said rake drop device includes a cover positioned to provide access to a drop box thereunder, said dropbox positioned beneath said gaming table and positioned to receive said at least game chips;
• and
• a signal receiver in communication with said cover of said rake drop device, said signal receiver configured to cause said cover to open said cover for access to said drop box responsive to a signal from said post-shuffle bin sensor detecting said cards in said post-shuffle bin have been removed.