Bonus feature on starting hands

• US 7,156,397 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2004
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Moody, Ernest W., Wood, Michael W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno; Benjamin
• Application Number:
  US10/752,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20040188938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,092 Days
• Field of Search: 273/309, 273/138.2, 273/138.1, 273/143.R, 273250-299, 463 1- 49
• US Class Current: 273/292
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3293 Card games, e.g. poker, canasta, black jack

Abstract

The method of present invention involves dealing the player a starting hand of cards, such as five cards, and the player then plays this hand with a first pay table. If the player'"'"'s starting hand of cards has a poker hand ranking of any preselected combination of cards, such as a Three-of-a-Kind, the player is given the option of buying a second hand of cards identical to the first hand of cards which is accomplished by making another wager. The player then plays out both the first hand and the second hand by discarding and drawing replacement cards. The final first hand and the final second hand are then compared to the pay table to determine winning and losing combinations based on poker hand ranking. This method of play may also be played in a multiple hand format.

Claims

1. A method of playing a video poker game on an electronic gaming machine, said method for a single play of the video poker game comprising:

a) the player making a wager to participate in the play of the game and displaying at least an initial first hand of five cards to a player;

b) if the initial hand comprises a designated arrangement of cards, subsequently offering the player the opportunity to make an additional wager to receive at least an additional hand of five cards consisting of the same five cards as are in the first hand;

c) allowing the player to discard any unwanted cards, if any, from the first hand and dealing replacement cards for the discarded cards so that a final five card first hand is established;

d) allowing the player to discard any unwanted cards, if any, from the additional hand and dealing replacement cards for the discarded cards so that a final five card additional hand is established; and

e) determining whether the final five card first hand and the final five card additional hand are each a winning or losing hand based on a pay table.

2. The method of claim 1 including the steps of:

a) paying the player a pre-established amount based on the amount of the wager if the final five card first hand is a winning hand; and

b) paying the player a pre-established amount based on the amount of the wager if the final five card additional hand is a winning hand.

3. The method of claim 2 in which the designated arrangement of cards is a Three-of-a-Kind.