Methods for prop bets for blackjack and other games

• US 5,636,843 A
• Filed: 03/25/1994
• Issued: 06/10/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Roberts, Carl
• Original Assignee: Roberts, Carl
• Inventors: Roberts, Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US08/218,017
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: 273/292, 273/303, 463/9, 463/12, 463/13, 463/16
• US Class Current: 273/292
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/18 Score computers; Miscellaneous indicators time-testing devices G07C
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/008 adapted for being playable on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for adding side or prop wagers to betting games, particularly the games of Blackjack and Poker. A Blackjack table is disclosed which comprises betting spots each of which comprises indicia describing a side or prop bet combination and odds offered for a wager against the combination. A video Blackjack machine is disclosed which is played with and without side or prop bets. A special Blackjack side or prop bet entry keyboard is disclosed. A video Poker machine is disclosed which is also played with and without prop bets. A special Poker side or prop bet entry keyboard is disclosed. The Poker keyboard is a subset of the Blackjack keyboard permitting Poker to be played with and without side or prop bets on the video Blackjack machine.

Claims

1. A method of playing a single card game based upon cards dealt to a player from a deck of playing cards comprising:

providing a deck of playing cards;

providing a game table with a table top area, a dealer'"'"'s position, at least one player'"'"'s position, a first wager area on the table top area adjacent to the player'"'"'s position and plural second wager areas on the table top area adjacent to the player'"'"'s position;

the player placing a first wager based upon the outcome of the game involving the cards and based upon the winning of the card game, wherein the first wager is placed upon the first area adjacent to the player'"'"'s position on the table top area;

the player placing at least two second prop wagers independent from playing the card game itself and whether said player wins the card game, the second prop wager is based upon the player playing for an occurrence of one or more suit, color, face card or odd and even numbered combinations of all cards that are dealt from the deck to the player during the card game, the second wager is placed upon the second area adjacent to the player'"'"'s position;

the dealer dealing a hand of cards to the player;

the dealer selectively dealing or not dealing a card or cards to the player based upon the decision of the player;

the dealer paying the player a benefit when the player wins the first wager based upon the winning of the card game;

the dealer paying the player a benefit when the player wins any second wager based upon the occurrence of one or more suit, color, face card or odd and even numbered combinations of cards as of the end of the game, independent of whether the player wins the first wager.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second wagers are physically placed under the control of the player upon separate sites on a custom surface of a table.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the card game is black jack.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the card game is poker.

5. A method of playing a single card game based upon cards dealt to a player from a deck of playing cards comprising:

providing a simulated deck of playing cards by a video machine, the video machine includes a video display, a first selector for programmably controlling a screen image on the video display, a second selector, a third selector and first and second pay-off controls;

the player placing a first wager based upon the outcome of the game involving the cards and based upon the winning of the card game, wherein under the control of the player the first wager is placed by activating the second selector;

the player placing at least two second prop wagers independent from playing the card game itself and whether said player wins the card game, the second wager based upon playing for an occurrence of one or more suit, color, face card or odd and even numbered combinations of all cards that are dealt from the simulated deck to the player during the card game, wherein under the control of the player at least two second prop wagers are placed by activating the third selector;

the machine simulating the dealing of a hand of cards on the display to the player or players;

the machine selectively simulating the dealing or not dealing of a card or cards to the player based upon the decision of the player, wherein the decision by the player to have a card or cards dealt or not dealt is indicated by a state of the first selector;

the machine paying the player a benefit when the player wins the first wager based upon the winning of the card game, wherein the paying of the player of the benefit from winning the first wager is by the respective first video machine pay-off controls;

the machine paying the player a benefit when the player wins any second wager based upon the occurrence of one or more suit, color, face card or odd and even numbered combinations of cards as of the end of the game, independent of whether the player wins the first wager, wherein the paying of the player of the benefit from winning any second prop wager is by the respective second video machine pay-off controls.