Methods of playing card games with an additional payout indicator

• US 5,911,418 A
• Filed: 10/10/1997
• Issued: 06/15/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Anchor Gaming (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Adams, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): LAYNO, BENJAMIN
• Application Number:
  US08/948,993
• Time in Patent Office: 613 Days
• Field of Search: 273/292, 273/274, 273/309, 273/142 R, 463/13
• US Class Current: 273/274
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2011/0018 integrated in the game board
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 5/045 using a rotating wheel and a fixed indicator, e.g. fortune wheels
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/322 Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games

Abstract

A card game particularly suited for gaming wherein, in addition to payouts determined by the rank of a player'"'"'s hand against a predetermined payout schedule or against the hands of a dealer or other players, a player may qualify for a payout determined by a movable payout indicator, preferably in the form of a rotatable wheel. A player can qualify for a spin of the wheel which indicates a prize by attaining a predetermined hand or one of a plurality of a predetermined hands. As an additional condition, the player may be required to place more than a minimum wager in order to qualify for a payout determined by the movable payout indicator. A player who has won a prize from a spin of the wheel may also be provided with an opportunity to double his winnings with an additional actuation of the movable payout indicator or in some other fashion.

Claims

1. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying a payout schedule comprising a preselected plurality of winning card combinations;

displaying indicia of at least one playing card to at least one player;

providing said player with an opportunity to change the amount of said player'"'"'s wager;

displaying at least one additional card; and

displaying indicia of a movable, payout indicator wherein said indicia of a movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player has changed the amount wagered.

2. A method of playing a card game according to claim 1 wherein said display surface comprises a portion of a game board.

3. A method of playing a card game according to claim 2 wherein said display surface comprises wagering areas for a plurality of players.

4. A method of playing a card game according to claim 1 wherein said indicia of a movable payout indicator comprises a wheel.

5. A method of playing a card game according to claim 4 further comprising the steps of rotating said wheel.

6. A method of playing a card game according to claim 5 wherein rotation of said wheel is initiated manually.

7. A method of playing a card game according to claim 6 wherein rotation of said wheel is controlled, at least in part, with means for randomly selecting the ultimate position of said wheel.

8. A method of playing a card game according to claim 7 wherein said selecting means comprises a motor.

9. A method of playing a card game according to claim 5 wherein rotation of said wheel is initiated electronically.

10. A method of playing a card game according to claim 9 wherein rotation of said wheel is controlled, at least in part, with means for randomly selecting the ultimate position said wheel.

11. A method of playing a card game according to claim 10 wherein said selecting means comprises a motor.

12. A method of playing a card game according to claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

providing at least one player with an opportunity to change the amount of said player'"'"'s wager;

providing said player with an opportunity to maximize said player'"'"'s winnings even after receiving an indication of the hands ultimate outcome; and

providing a winning payout based on said resulting wager if a plurality of said displayed cards matches at least one preselected winning card combination.

13. A method of playing a card game according to claim 12 wherein winning payouts are provided according to a schedule which provides different payout schedules for different amounts wagered, for at least one winning hand.

14. A method of playing a card game according to claim 12 wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player received a preselected qualifying card combination.

15. A method of playing a card game according to claim 12 further comprising the step of providing a winning player with an opportunity to double his winning payout.

16. A method of playing a card game according to claim 15 further comprising the step of providing a winning player with a plurality of opportunities to double said player'"'"'s winning payout.

17. A method of playing a card game according to claim 1 wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player received a preselected qualifying card combination.

18. A method of playing a card game according to claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying a payout schedule to each player.

19. A method of playing a card game according to claim 1 wherein said display surface comprises a video screen.

20. A method of playing a card game according to claim 1 wherein said step of displaying a payout schedule comprises displaying a payout schedule comprising hands wherein the number of cards necessary to attain at least one of said winning hands is less than the number of cards needed to attain at least one other of said winning hands.

21. A method of playing a card game according to claim 1 comprising the step of providing means for receiving a plurality of wagers.

22. A method of playing a card game according to claim 21 wherein said step of providing means for receiving a plurality of wagers comprises providing at least one designated wager area on a game board.

23. A method of playing a card game according to claim 21 wherein said display surface and said receiving means are provided on a single gaming table.

24. A method of playing a card game according to claim 1 wherein said player may change the amount wagered and wherein said winning payout is based on the final amount wagered.

25. A method of playing a card game according to claim 1 wherein the total number of cards displayed for each hand is five.

26. A method of playing a card game according to claim 1 wherein the total number of cards displayed for each hand is seven.

31. A method of playing a card game according to claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a winning player with an opportunity to double his winning payout.

33. A method of playing a card game according to claim 31 further comprising the step of providing a winning player with a plurality of opportunities to double said player'"'"'s winning payout.

27. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying indicia of at least one playing card to at least one player;

providing said player with an opportunity to place a second wager;

displaying at least one additional card;

displaying indicia of a movable, payout indicator;

wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player has placed at least two wagers.

28. A method of playing a card game according to claim 27 wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player has placed at least three wagers.

29. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

providing a peselected plurality of winning card combinations, said plurality of winning card combinations comprising a lowest value card combination and a higher value card combination;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying indicia of at least one playing card to at least one player;

displaying at least one additional card;

displaying indicia of a movable, payout indicator;

wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player received a preselected qualifying card combination; and

wherein said qualifying card combination has a higher value than the lowest card combination which provides a winning payout.

30. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

providing a preselected plurality of winning card combinations, said plurality of winning card combinations comprising a highest value card combination and a lower value card combination;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying indicia of at least one playing card to at least one player;

displaying at least one additional card;

displaying indicia of a movable, payout indicator;

wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player received a preselected qualifying card combination; and

wherein said qualifying card combination has a lower value than the highest card combination which provides a winning payout.

32. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying indicia of at least one playing card to at least one player;

displaying at least one additional card;

displaying indicia of a movable, payout indicator;

providing a winning player with an opportunity to double his winning payout;

wherein a player'"'"'s success in doubling a winning payout is displayed with said movable payout indicator.

34. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

providing a preselected plurality of winning combinations;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying indicia of at least one playing card to at least one player;

displaying at least one additional card;

displaying indicia of a movable, payout indicator;

providing at least one player with an opportunity to change the amount of said player'"'"'s wager;

providing said player with an opportunity to maximize winnings of said player even after the player received an indication of the hands ultimate outcome; and

providing a winning payout based on said resulting wager if a plurality of said displayed cards matches at least one preselected winning card combination;

wherein said indicia of a movable payout indicator comprises a wheel.

35. A method of playing a card game according to claim 34 wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player has changed the amount wagered.

36. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

providing a preselected plurality of winning combinations;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying indicia of at least one playing card to at least one player;

displaying at least one additional card;

displaying indicia of a movable, payout indicator;

providing at least one player with an opportunity to change the amount of said player'"'"'s wager;

providing said player with an opportunity to maximize said player'"'"'s winnings even after receiving an indication of the hands ultimate outcome;

providing a winning payout based on said resulting wager if a plurality of said displayed cards matches at least one preselected winning card combination; and

wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player has placed at least two wagers.

37. A method of playing a card game according to claim 36 wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player has placed at least three wagers.

38. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

providing a preselected plurality of winning card combinations, said plurality of winning card combinations comprising a lowest value card combination and a higher value card combination;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying indicia of at least one playing card to at least one player;

displaying at least one additional card;

displaying indicia of a movable, payout indicator;

providing at least one player with an opportunity to change the amount of said player'"'"'s wager;

providing said player with an opportunity to maximize said player'"'"'s winnings even after receiving an indication of the hands ultimate outcome;

providing a winning payout based on said resulting wager if a plurality of said displayed cards matches at least one preselected winning card combination; and

wherein said qualifying card combination has a higher value than the lowest card combination which provided a winning payout.

39. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

providing a preselected plurality of winning card combinations, said plurality of winning card combinations comprising a highest value card combination and a lower value card combination;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying indicia of at least one playing card to at least one player;

displaying at least one additional card;

displaying indicia of a movable, payout indicator;

providing at least one player with an opportunity to change the amount of said player'"'"'s wager;

providing said player with an opportunity to maximize said player'"'"'s winnings even after receiving an indication of the hands ultimate outcome;

providing a winning payout based on said resulting wager if a plurality of said displayed cards matches at least one preselected winning card combination; and

wherein said qualifying card combination has a lower value than the highest card combination which provided a winning payout.

40. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

displaying a winning payout schedule comprising a preselected plurality of winning card combinations;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying a plurality of indicia of cards to at least one player;

providing at least one player with an opportunity to change said player'"'"'s wager before receiving the number of cards in the highest winning payout on said winning payout schedule but after the player has a sufficient number of cards to obtain a winning payout thereby providing said player with an opportunity to maximize said player'"'"'s winnings even after receiving an indication of the hands ultimate outcome;

displaying at least one additional card;

comparing a plurality of said displayed indicia of cards with said payout schedule; and

if a plurality of said displayed cards matches at least one of said preselected winning card combinations, rendering a movable payout indicator actuatable; and

wherein said movable payout indicator comprises a wheel.

41. A method of playing a card game according to claim 40 wherein said player is provided with a plurality of opportunities to change the player'"'"'s wager.

42. A method of playing a card game according to claim 40 wherein the total number of cards displayed is five.

43. A method of playing a card game according to claim 40 wherein the total number of cards displayed is greater than five.

44. A method of playing a card game according to claim 40 further comprising the step of rotating said wheel.

45. A method of playing a card game according to claim 44 wherein rotation of said wheel is initiated manually.

46. A method of playing a card game according to claim 45 wherein rotation of said wheel is controlled, at least in part, with means for randomly selecting the ultimate position of said wheel.

47. A method of playing a card game according to claim 46 wherein said selecting means comprises a stepper motor.

48. A method of playing a card game according to claim 44 wherein rotation of said wheel is initiated electronically.

49. A method of playing a card game according to claim 44 wherein winning payouts are provided according to a schedule which provides different payout odds for different amounts wagered, for at least one preselected winning combination.

50. A method of playing a card game according to claim 40 wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player received a preselected qualifying card combination.

51. A method of playing a card game according to claim 40 further comprising the step of providing a winning player with an opportunity to double his winning payout.

52. A method of playing a card game according to claim 40 further comprising the step of providing a winning player with a plurality of opportunities to double said player'"'"'s winning payout.

53. A method of playing a card game according to claim 40 where in the total number of cards displayed for each hand is seven.

54. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

displaying a winning payout schedule comprising a preselected plurality of winning card combinations;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying a plurality of indicia of cards to at least one player;

providing at least one player with an opportunity to change said player'"'"'s wager before receiving the number of cards in the highest winning payout on said winning payout schedule but after the player has a sufficient number of cards to obtain a winning payout thereby providing said player with an opportunity to maximize said player'"'"'s winnings even after receiving an indication of the hands ultimate outcome;

displaying at least one additional card;

comparing a plurality of said displayed indicia of cards with said payout schedule; and

if a plurality of said displayed cards matches at least one of said preselected winning card combinations, rendering a movable payout indicator actuatable;

wherein said movable payout indicator comprises a wheel;

wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player has changed his initial wager.

55. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

displaying a winning payout schedule comprising a preselected plurality of winning card combinations;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying a plurality of indicia of cards to at least one player;

providing at least one player with an opportunity to change said player'"'"'s wager before receiving the number of cards in the highest winning payout on said winning payout schedule but after the player has a sufficient number of cards to obtain a winning payout thereby providing said player with an opportunity to maximize said player'"'"'s winnings even after receiving an indication of the hands ultimate outcome;

displaying at least one additional card;

comparing a plurality of said displayed indicia of cards with said payout schedule; and

if a plurality of said displayed cards matches at least one of said preselected winning card combinations, rendering a movable payout indicator actuatable;

wherein said movable payout indicator comprises a wheel;

wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player has placed at least two wagers.

56. A method of playing a card game according to claim 55 wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player has placed at least three wagers.

57. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

displaying a winning payout schedule comprising a preselected plurality of winning card combinations, said plurality of winning card combinations comprising a lowest value card combination and a higher value card combination;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying a plurality of indicia of cards to at least one player;

providing at least one player with an opportunity to change said player'"'"'s wager before receiving the number of cards in the highest winning payout on said winning payout schedule but after the player has a sufficient number of cards to obtain a winning payout thereby providing said player with an opportunity to maximize said player'"'"'s winnings even after receiving an indication of the hands ultimate outcome;

displaying at least one additional card;

comparing a plurality of said displayed indicia of cards with said payout schedule; and

if a plurality of said displayed cards matches at least one of said preselected winning card combinations, rendering a movable payout indicator actuatable;

wherein said movable payout indicator is actuatable only if a player received a preselected qualifying card combination; and

wherein said qualifying card combination has a higher value than the lowest card combination which provides a winning payout.

58. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

displaying a winning payout schedule comprising a preselected plurality of winning card combinations, said plurality of winning card combinations comprising a highest value card combination and a lower value card combination;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying a plurality of indicia of cards to at least one player;

providing at least one player with an opportunity to change said player'"'"'s wager before receiving the number of cards in the highest winning payout on said winning payout schedule but after the player has a sufficient number of cards to obtain a winning payout thereby providing said player with an opportunity to maximize said player'"'"'s winnings even after receiving an indication of the hands ultimate outcome;

displaying at least one additional card;

comparing a plurality of said displayed indicia of cards with said payout schedule; and

if a plurality of said displayed cards matches at least one of said preselected winning card combinations, rendering a movable payout indicator actuatable;

wherein said movable payout indicator comprises a wheel;

wherein said qualifying card combination has a lower value than the highest card combination which provides a winning payout.

59. A method of playing a card game comprising the steps of:

providing a display surface;

displaying a winning payout schedule comprising a preselected plurality of winning card combinations;

providing at least one player with the option of placing a wager;

displaying a plurality of indicia of cards to at least one player;

providing at least one player with an opportunity to change said player'"'"'s wager before receiving the number of cards in the highest winning payout on said winning payout schedule but after the player has a sufficient number of cards to obtain a winning payout thereby providing said player with an opportunity to maximize said player'"'"'s winnings even after receiving an indication of the hands ultimate outcome;

displaying at least one additional card;

comparing a plurality of said displayed indicia of cards with said payout schedule; and

if a plurality of said displayed cards matches at least one of said preselected winning card combinations, rendering a movable payout indicator actuatable;

providing a winning player with an opportunity to double his winning payout; and

wherein a player'"'"'s success in doubling a winning payout is displayed with said movable payout indicator.