Secure multi-site progressive jackpot system for live card games

A method for operating a secure game table at which a live card game is played with at least one deck of cards, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a common identity code located on each of said predetermined number of cards in said at least one deck wherein each different deck has a different common identity code,
• detecting during the play of the live card game, the presence of the common identity code on each card,
• issuing an alarm signal when a card not having become an identity code is sensed,
• the step of counting all cards during shuffling of the cards,
• issuing an alarm signal when said number of cards is different from the number of cards in said live card game.

A secure integrated shuffler and shoe for use in a live card game system, said live card game having at least one deck, said at least one deck having a predetermined number of cards, said secure integrated shuffler and shoe system comprising:

• a common identity code located on each of said predetermined number of cards in said at least one deck;
• a housing;
• a shuffler region in said housing for shuffling said at least one deck, said shuffler region having a shuffler circuit for counting all cards inserted into said shuffler region after each said hand, said shuffler circuit issuing a signal corresponding to the number of said cards inserted for each said hand, said shuffler circuit reading said common identity code on each said card inserted, said shuffler circuit issuing a signal corresponding to each said common deck identity code read on each said card inserted;
• a shoe region in said housing for holding each said card from said shuffler region before being dealt by said dealer in said hand, said shoe region having a detector for reading at least the value and the suit of each said held card, said detector issuing a signal corresponding to said value and suit for each said held card;
• a game control, said game control having a memory, said game control receptive of said value and suit signals from said detector in said shoe region for storing in said memory at least the value and suit of each card dealt from said shoe in said hand, said game control receptive of said card dealt from said shoe in said hand, said game control receptive of said signals from said shuffler circuit and said signals from said shoe for determining that said cards dealt in said hand from said shoe are the same cards inserted after said hand into said shuffler.