Method, apparatus and article for random sequence generation and playing card distribution

• US 8,016,663 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2006
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The United States Playing Card Company (Cartamundi NV)
• Inventors: Soltys, Richard, Huizinga, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Bumgarner; Melba
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hylinski; Steven J.
• Application Number:
  US11/519,244
• Publication Number:
  US 20070004500A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,828 Days
• Field of Search: 463 11- 13, 463 21- 23, 463/25
• US Class Current: 463/22
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/18 Score computers; Miscellaneous indicators time-testing devices G07C
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2419 Optical

Abstract

A method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and distributes playing cards according the pseudo-random playing card sequence. For example, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence and prints playing cards in order of the pseudo-random playing card sequence. Further, the method, apparatus and article generates a pseudo-random playing card sequence based on a house advantage. Yet further, the method, apparatus and article can generate a promotional message on one or more playing cards.

Claims

1. A method of playing a card game, comprising:

receiving, from a player, a request to change a first set of house odds of the card game to desired house odds;

determining, via a processor, a house advantage based on the desired house odds, wherein the determined house advantage corresponding to the desired house odds is different from a house advantage corresponding to the first set of house odds;

selecting a total number of playing card decks required to achieve the determined house advantage;

computationally generating, via a processor, a pseudo-random playing card sequence from a plurality of playing card values, the plurality of playing card values including a playing card value for each playing card in a number of decks of playing cards equal to the selected total number of playing card decks;

distributing in an order of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence a number of playing cards corresponding to respective ones of the playing card values for at least a portion of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence; and

playing the card game based on the determined house advantage and the desired house odds.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

printing in the order of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence

the number of playing cards corresponding to respective ones of the playing card values for at least a portion of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence.

3. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

printing in the order of a generated pseudo-random playing card sequence a first number of playing cards corresponding to respective ones of the playing card values for at least a first portion of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence;

determining whether the number of printed playing cards is below a threshold number of printed playing cards; and

in response to the determination that the number of printed cards is below the threshold number of printed playing cards, printing in the order of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence a second number of playing cards corresponding to a respective ones of the playing card values for at least a second portion of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence, the second portion successively following the first portion in the pseudo-random sequence.

4. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

successively printing a playing card corresponding to a respective one of the playing card values in an order of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence, as each playing card is distributed.

5. A non-transitory computer-readable media having instructions for causing a computer to order playing cards by:

receiving, from a player, a request to change a first set of house odds of a card game to desired house odds;

determining, via a processor, a house advantage based on the desired house odds, wherein the determined house advantage corresponding to the desired house odds is different from a house advantage corresponding to the first set of house odds;

selecting a total number of playing card decks required to achieve the determined house advantage;

computationally generating a pseudo-random playing card sequence from a plurality of playing card values including a playing card value for each playing card in a number of decks of playing cards equal to the selected total number of playing card decks;

distributing in an order of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence a number of playing cards corresponding to respective ones of the playing card values for at least a portion of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence; and

playing the card game based on the determined house advantage and the desired house odds.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5 having instructions for causing the computer to order playing cards, further by:

printing in the order of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence the number of playing cards corresponding to respective ones of the playing card values for at least a portion of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5 having instructions for causing the computer to order playing cards, further by:

printing in the order of generated pseudo-random playing card sequence a first number of playing cards corresponding to respective ones of the playing card values for at least a first portion of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence;

determining whether the number of printed playing cards is below a threshold number of printed playing cards; and

in response to the determination that the number of printed cards is below the threshold number printed playing cards, printing in the order of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence a second number of playing cards corresponding to respective ones of the playing card values for at least a second portion of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence, the second portion successively following the first portion in the pseudo-random sequence.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 5 having instructions for causing the computer to order playing cards, further by:

successively printing a playing card corresponding to a respective one of the playing card values in an order of the generated pseudo-random playing card sequence, as each playing card is distributed.