Method and apparatus for providing advice regarding gaming strategies

• US 9,536,396 B2
• Filed: 05/16/2014
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cantor Index LLC
• Original Assignee: Cantor Index LLC
• Inventors: Amaitis, Lee M., Asher, Joseph M., Johnson, James C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US14/279,779
• Publication Number:
  US 20140370951A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 463 9- 13, 463/20, 463/25, 463/42, 273/309
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/06 Card games appurtenances
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 1/18 Score computers; Miscellaneous indicators time-testing devices G07C
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/55 Controlling game characters or game objects based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• 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

Methods for providing gaming advice are provided. For example, regarding a blackjack game, one or more first player cards are identified for a first player and one or more second player cards are identified for a second player. The first and second player cards are displayed to the first player. A probability associated with a first one of the plurality of playing options is determined based at least on a set of predetermined statistical blackjack data, the one or more first player cards, and the one or more second player cards. It is then determined, based at least on the determined probability associated with the first playing option, whether to display a first indication corresponding with first advice regarding the first playing option, a second indication corresponding with second advice regarding the first playing option, or a third indication corresponding with third advice regarding the first playing option.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

identifying, by at least one processor, for a first player one or more first player cards associated with a first hand of cards in a card game;

identifying, by the at least one processor, for a second player one or more second player cards associated with a second hand of cards in the card game;

causing to be displayed to the first player the one or more identified first player cards and the one or more identified second player cards;

determining a probability associated with a first one of a plurality of playing options based at least on a set of predetermined statistical blackjack data, the one or more first player cards, and the one or more second player cards; and

determining, based at least on the determined probability associated with the first playing option, whether to display a first indication corresponding with first advice regarding the first playing option, a second indication corresponding with second advice regarding the first playing option, or a third indication corresponding with third advice regarding the first playing option.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

identifying for a first player one or more first player cards associated with the first hand of cards in a card game comprises electronically determining the one or more first player cards for the first player; and

identifying for a second player one or more second player cards associated with the second hand of cards in the card game comprises electronically determining the one or more second player cards for the second player.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

allowing the first player to select the one or more first player cards and the one or more second player cards;

wherein identifying for a first player one or more first player cards associated with the first hand of cards in a card game comprises receiving from the first player a selection of the one or more first player cards; and

wherein identifying for a second player one or more second player cards associated with the second hand of cards in the card game comprises receiving from the first player a selection of the one or more second player cards.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether to display the first indication, the second indication or the third indication comprises:

if the determined probability falls within a first range, displaying to the first player a first indication corresponding with first advice regarding the first playing option;

if the determined probability falls within a second range, displaying to the first player a second indication corresponding with second advice regarding the first playing option; and

if the determined probability falls within a third range, displaying to the first player a third indication corresponding with third advice regarding the first playing option.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein:

the first range of probabilities corresponds with the first playing option being statistically advantageous for the first player;

the second range of probabilities corresponds with the first playing option being less advantageous for the first player than the first range of probabilities; and

the third range of probabilities corresponds with the first playing option being less advantageous for the first player than the second range of probabilities.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first playing option being statistically advantageous for the first player comprises the first playing option maximizing one of the first player'"'"'s odds of winning the first hand of cards with respect to one or more other playing options and the first player'"'"'s potential return on the first hand of cards with respect to one or more other playing options.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the one or more identified first player cards comprise a pair of face-up cards for the first player; and

the one or more identified second player cards comprise a face-up card for the second player,

wherein the second player represents a dealer or house entity.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

allowing the first player to select from the plurality of playing options; and

displaying to the first player mathematical progression wagering information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the card game comprises blackjack, and wherein the plurality of playing options comprises a hit option, a stand option, and at least one other blackjack playing option.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one other blackjack playing option comprises at least one of:

a double-down playing option;

a split-pair playing option;

an insurance playing option; and

a surrender playing option.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first advice regarding the first playing option comprises advice for the first player to initiate the first playing option;

the second advice regarding the first playing option comprises advice for the first player not to initiate the first playing option; and

the third advice regarding the first playing option comprises advice that the first playing option is disadvantageous for the first player, but less disadvantageous than a predetermined threshold level.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first indication corresponding with the first advice comprises a first symbol;

the second indication corresponding with the second advice comprises a second symbol; and

the third indication corresponding with the third advice comprises a third symbol.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving from the first player a selection of one of the plurality of playing options via one of a plurality of buttons associated the plurality of playing options;

wherein the plurality of buttons includes a first button corresponding to the first playing option;

wherein the first indication corresponding with the first advice comprises a light of a first color;

wherein the second indication corresponding with the second advice comprises a light of a second color;

wherein the third indication corresponding with the third advice comprises a light of a third color; and

wherein the light of the first color, the light of the second color, and the light of the third color are associated with the first button.

14. The method of claim 1,

wherein the probability associated with the first playing option comprises the calculated average return on the first hand of cards for the first player if the first player selects the first playing option, and

wherein the average return on the first hand of cards for the first player comprises the calculated average return per amount wagered by the first player on the first hand of cards.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein:

determining a probability associated with the first playing option comprises determining for each of the plurality of playing options an average return associated with that playing option; and

determining whether to display a first indication, a second indication, or a third indication based at least on the determined probability associated with the first playing option comprises;

determining to display a first indication if the determined average return associated with the first playing option is the highest average return associated with any of the plurality of playing options;

determining to display a second indication if the determined average return associated with the first playing option is less than a threshold amount less than that of the playing option having the highest average return; and

determining to display a third indication if the determined average return associated with the first playing option is more than the threshold amount less than that of the playing option having the highest average return.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second range of probabilities corresponds with the first playing option being statistically disadvantageous for the first player; and

the method further comprises;

allowing the first player to select from the plurality of playing options;

receiving from the first player a selection of a wager amount for the first hand of cards;

receiving from the first player a selection of the first playing option; and

in response to receiving from the first player selection of the first playing option being statistically disadvantageous for the first player, automatically displaying to the first player a message requesting the first player to confirm the selection of the first playing option if the selected wager amount exceeds a predetermined wager amount threshold.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving from the first player a wager associated with the first hand of cards, the wager having an associated wager amount;

determining a result of the first hand of cards;

determining a first player payout for the first hand based at least on the result of the first hand of cards and the wager amount associated with the first hand; and

managing a balance for the first player based at least on the first player payout; and

monitoring the increase or decrease of the balance for the first player over time.

18. An apparatus, comprising:

a first display portion for displaying first player cards;

a second display portion for displaying second player cards;

an advice display operable to display advice regarding a first one of a plurality of playing options;

a memory operable to store, at least temporarily;

a set of predetermined statistical data relating to a card game;

one or more first player cards associated with a first hand of cards for a first player; and

one or more second player cards associated with a second hand of cards for a second player; and

a processor operable to;

cause the one or more first player cards to be displayed in the first display and the one or more second player cards to be displayed in the second display;

determine a probability associated with the first playing option based at least on the set of predetermined statistical data, the one or more first player cards, and the one or more second player cards;

determine, based at least on the determined probability associated with the first playing option, whether to display a first indication corresponding with first advice regarding the first playing option, a second indication corresponding with second advice regarding the first playing option, or a third indication corresponding with third advice regarding the first playing option; and

cause the determined first indication, second indication, or third indication to be displayed via the advice display.

19. A non-transitory machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:

identify for a first player one or more first player cards associated with a first hand of cards in a card game;

identify for a second player one or more second player cards associated with a second hand of cards in the card game;

cause to be displayed to the first player the one or more identified first player cards and the one or more identified second player cards;

determine a probability associated with a first one of a plurality of playing options based at least on a set of predetermined statistical blackjack data, the one or more first player cards, and the one or more second player cards; and

determine, based at least on the determined probability associated with the first playing option, whether to display a first indication corresponding with first advice regarding the first playing option, a second indication corresponding with second advice regarding the first playing option, or a third indication corresponding with third advice regarding the first playing option.

20. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor of at least one computer;

at least one memory in electronic communication with the at least one processor, the at least one memory having instructions stored thereon which, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to;

identify for a first player one or more first player cards associated with a first hand of cards in a card game;

identify for a second player one or more second player cards associated with a second hand of cards in the card game;

cause to be displayed to the first player the one or more identified first player cards and the one or more identified second player cards;

determine a probability associated with a first one of a plurality of playing options based at least on a set of predetermined statistical blackjack data, the one or more first player cards, and the one or more second player cards; and

determine, based at least on the determined probability associated with the first playing option, whether to display a first indication corresponding with first advice regarding the first playing option, a second indication corresponding with second advice regarding the first playing option, or a third indication corresponding with third advice regarding the first playing option.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein determining whether to display the first indication, the second indication or the third indication comprises:

if the determined probability falls within a first range, displaying to the first player a first indication corresponding with first advice regarding the first playing option;

if the determined probability falls within a second range, displaying to the first player a second indication corresponding with second advice regarding the first playing option; and

if the determined probability falls within a third range, displaying to the first player a third indication corresponding with third advice regarding the first playing option, wherein;

the first range of probabilities corresponds with the first playing option being statistically advantageous for the first player;

the second range of probabilities corresponds with the first playing option being less statistically advantageous for the first player than the first range of probabilities; and

the third range of probabilities corresponds with the first playing option being less statistically advantageous for the first player than the second range of probabilities, and

wherein the first playing option being statistically advantageous for the first player comprises the first playing option maximizing one of (i) the first player'"'"'s odds of winning the first hand of cards with respect to one or more other playing options and (ii) the first player'"'"'s expected return on the first hand of cards with respect to one or more other playing options.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein:

the one or more identified first player cards comprise a pair of face-up cards for the first player; and

the one or more identified second player cards comprise a face-up card for the second player,

wherein the second player represents a dealer or house entity,

wherein the card game comprises blackjack, and wherein the plurality of playing options comprises a hit option, a stand option, and at least one other blackjack playing option.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein:

the first advice regarding the first playing option comprises advice for the first player to initiate the first playing option;

the second advice regarding the first playing option comprises advice for the first player not to initiate the first playing option; and

the third advice regarding the first playing option comprises advice that the first playing option is disadvantageous for the first player, but less disadvantageous than a predetermined threshold level,

the first indication corresponding with the first advice comprises a first symbol;

the second indication corresponding with the second advice comprises a second symbol; and

the third indication corresponding with the third advice comprises a third symbol.

24. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

receiving from the first player a selection of one of the plurality of playing options via one of a plurality of buttons associated the plurality of playing options;

wherein the plurality of buttons includes a first button corresponding to the first playing option;

wherein the first indication corresponding with the first advice comprises a light of a first color;

wherein the second indication corresponding with the second advice comprises a light of a second color;

wherein the third indication corresponding with the third advice comprises a light of a third color; and

wherein the light of the first color, the light of the second color, and the light of the third color are associated with the first button.

25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein:

determining a probability associated with the first playing option comprises determining for each of the plurality of playing options an average return associated with that playing option; and

determining whether to display a first indication, a second indication, or a third indication based at least on the determined probability associated with the first playing option comprises;

determining to display a first indication if the determined average return associated with the first playing option is the highest average return associated with any of the plurality of playing options;

determining to display a second indication if the determined average return associated with the first playing option is less than a threshold amount less than that of the playing option having the highest average return; and

determining to display a third indication if the determined average return associated with the first playing option is more than the threshold amount less than that of the playing option having the highest average return.

26. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein:

the second range of probabilities corresponds with the first playing option being statistically disadvantageous for the first player; and

the apparatus further comprises;

allowing the first player to select from the plurality of playing options;

receiving from the first player a selection of a wager amount for the first hand of cards;

receiving from the first player a selection of the first playing option; and

in response to receiving from the first player selection of the first playing option being statistically disadvantageous for the first player, automatically displaying to the first player a message requesting the first player to confirm the selection of the first playing option if the selected wager amount exceeds a predetermined wager amount threshold.

27. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

receiving from the first player a wager associated with the first hand of cards, the wager having an associated wager amount;

determining a result of the first hand of cards;

determining a first player payout for the first hand based at least on the result of the first hand of cards and the wager amount associated with the first hand; and

managing a balance for the first player based at least on the first player payout; and

monitoring the increase or decrease of the balance for the first player over time.