Texas Hold'em with additional features

• US 8,387,986 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2009
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael D.A. Baker
• Original Assignee: Michael D.A. Baker
• Inventors: Baker, Michael D. A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fernstrom, Kurt
• Assistant Examiner(s): COLLINS, DOLORES R
• Application Number:
  US12/618,556
• Publication Number:
  US 20110115159A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,208 Days
• Field of Search: 273/292
• US Class Current: 273/292
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/00 Card games aspects of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions showing representations related to the game A63F13/00; card games played on a gaming machine G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3293 Card games, e.g. poker, canasta, black jack

Abstract

Texas Hold'"'"'em is played between human and virtual machine players on electronic equipment. The virtual players fold up and the human does not. This allows the human to see the hold cards of the opponents and adds excitement to the game. Optionally, the human player gets a bonus for having a good hand regardless of who wins the pot. The bonus also adds excitement and interest. Preferably the virtual players have personalities. By creating a minimum number of personalities and changing personalities with players, user interest is maintained. In particular, adding these features to a Texas hold'"'"'em game with fold up procedure for virtual opponents increases user excitement.

Claims

1. A computer implemented Texas hold'"'"'em card game having virtual players and at least one human player, the computer comprising a visual display device and a processor operably coupled to the display device and combined to display a card game, the processor programmed for a method comprising the steps of a Texas hold'"'"'em game, wherein the at least one human player folds down and the virtual players fold up such that the folded up cards are shown to the at least one human player during play, further comprising a bonus feature that awards the human player but not the virtual players a bonus based on the best 5 card combination of the human player'"'"'s hand and awarded without regard to winning the game.

2. A computer implemented Texas hold'"'"'em card game having virtual players and one human player, the computer comprising a visual display device and a processor operably coupled to the display device and combined to display a card game, the processor programmed for a method comprising the steps of a Texas hold'"'"'em game, wherein the human player folds down and the virtual players fold up such that the folded up cards are shown to the human player during play, and further comprising a half back feature that allows the human player to surrender his hole cards and stop play before the flop, in return for half of his ante back.