US 6,547,246 B2 · Method and apparatus for playing elective wagering card game

Abstract

In a casino card game, a player makes a first elective wager and is provided with an opportunity to make a proposition wager. A dealer deals two cards, and the players can then wager whether a third card will fall between (MID) the first two cards or above (HI) or below (LOW) at least one of the first two cards. Preferably, the player betting the HI option or the LOW option will win if the third card is higher or lower, respectively, and of a same suit as at least one of the cards. The subsequent electing wager serves to direct the application of the first elective wager. With the proposition wager, the player wins if at least two of the three cards have a predetermined composite relationship based on suit and/or rank or three-card poker rankings.

Drawings

Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO

Drawings

Claims29

Dependent claims

A method of playing a card game comprising:

(a) providing a layout including a plurality of electing wager areas;
(b) receiving at least an initial wager from a player;
(c) a dealer dealing a first hand and a second hand;
(d) receiving a subsequent electing wager from the player, determined according to a position of the electing wager on the layout, that a third hand will have a selected predetermined relationship of a plurality of possible predetermined relationships with the first hand and the second hand, wherein each of the plurality of electing wager areas on the layout corresponds to a different one of the plurality of possible predetermined relationships;
(e) determining the selected predetermined relationship based on which of the plurality of electing wager areas the player positions the electing wager on the layout, the wager areas corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of possible predetermined relationships, including (1) MID that the third hand will be between the rankings of the first and second hands, (2) HI that the third hand will be of a higher rank than at least one of the first and second hands, or (3) LOW that the third hand will be of a lower rank than at least one of the first and second hands;
(f) the dealer dealing the third hand;
and
(g) resolving wagers according to game rules.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description3,138 words

Summary1,307 words

#The present invention relates to casino card games and, more particularly, to a gambling card game incorporating a novel mode of elective wagering.

#There has been a dramatic diversification of product in all fields of leisure and entertainment, including the casino environment. One area that is resistant to change, however, is casino table games, where many casino staff do not want to be bothered learning new games that may not have popular appeal or may have limited longevity. Also, casino operators enjoy free use of the traditional public domain games such as Blackjack and are reluctant to pay for a new proprietary game, which would replace a royalty free use game.

#The most successful new games have been derivatives of historical games, with examples being the poker variant Let it Ride, the Blackjack variant Spanish 21 and the war variant Casino War. Most new games are poker or Blackjack variants, and in due course, the market will be saturated with these products. There is thus a demand for alternative product that will have popular appeal, good potential longevity and be operationally and mathematically secure.

Brief description of the drawings2 figures

#These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a plan view of the table layout according to the present invention; and

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the structure effecting game play according to the apparatus of the present invention.

Detailed description1,772 words

#FIG. 1 shows a casino table 10 including playing or betting areas 12 for a plurality of players, for example, seven players. The table 10 also includes a dealer area 14, a payout area 16 setting forth payout information, and a rules area 18 setting forth game rules.

#The playing area 12 includes an initial wagering area 20, 22 for an initial wager and a subsequent wagering area 24, 26, 28 for a subsequent “electing” wager. The initial wagering area is divided into a first wager area 20 for an elective wager and a second wager area 22 for a proposition wager. The subsequent electing wagering areas 24, 26 and 28 are respectively for HI, MID and LOW option wagers.

#The dealer area 14 includes a first card area 30 for a dealt first card or hand and a second card area 32 for a dealt second card or hand. A third card area 34 may form part of the dealer area 14 in one operating mode of the invention, while the third card area 34 forms part of each playing area 12 in another operating mode of the invention.

Facts

Application

09/467,892Filed 21 Dec 1999

Published

US 2002/0074724 A120 Jun 2002

Granted

15 Apr 2003

Term ended

21 Dec 2019

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination. Patent term adjustment is unavailable; no adjustment was added.

Classification2 codes

A63F 3/00157
Types of board games: casino or betting games
A63F
Card, board, or roulette games

Method and apparatus for playing elective wagering card game

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for playing elective wagering card game

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims29

Description3,138 words

Drawings

Classification2 codes

Life of this patent

Description3,138 words