Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02243738 1999-09-03
METHOD FOR PLAYING TWO CASINO GAMES AND A METHOD AND
AN APPARATUS FOR RELATED PROGRESSIVE JACKPOT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to methods for playing casino games and an electronic
side
bet progressive jackpot gaming apparatus and method.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A progressive jackpot played with live casino card games is known. For
instance,
U.S. Patent No. 5,364,104 (Jones et al.) describes an arrangement whereby
players may
take part in a progressive jackpot by placing side bets into token slots. In
addition, U.S.
Patent No. 5,472,194 (Breeding et al.) describes an electric network whereby a
progressive
jackpot game may be linked by multiple gaming tables at multiple facilities.
Heretofore, players wishing to participate in card game progressive jackpots
were
required to insert one or more tokens into a slot usually located near the
player. There is
usually an indicating means, such as a LED display to inform the dealer that a
particular
player is taking part in a side bet. However, the use of tokens has many
disadvantages, in
particular it takes away token circulation from the casino, it increases the
need to replenish
the dealer's token bin, it necessitates the player to physically insert a
token every time a side
bet is placed, and it takes up playing time when the dealer pays out winning
tokens to
players.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous and time-saving to eliminate the need
for
tokens in progressive jackpot side bet games. Furthermore, it would also be
advantageous
for the dealer to interact with the players, such as paying out winning
players without
involving the physical handling of tokens.
Popular card games such as Blackjack (also known as Twenty-One) are commonly
played at casino game tables. However, the Twenty-One card game has been
played
virtually unchanged through the years. It is desirable to introduce a
variation to the winning
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possibilities for the players. This will not only increase the players'
chances of winning, but
also enhance the level of excitement around the gaming table.
Besides taking part in a normal wager, a player may participate in a side bet
progressive jackpot. Depending on the card arrangements, a player who is dealt
a set of
predetermined cards wins either all or a portion of the jackpot. In this
connection, U.S.
Patent No. 5,364,105 (Jones) discloses different predetermined "winning hand"
cards in a
Twenty-One game which will entitle a player to win the progressive jackpot.
Similarly, U.S.
Patent No. 5,584,485 (Jones et al.) describes additional predetermined
"winning hand"
cards with Twenty-One, and poker games such as Stud Poker, Draw Power or Lo-
Ball
Poker.
It will be of interest to progressive jackpot Twenty-One players to experience
other
kinds of side bet winning possibilities. One such possibility is a
predetermined card
combination which employs colour-coded playing cards. If a player is dealt a
set of colour-
coded cards which matches any one of the predetermined arrangements, then the
player
will win either all or a portion of the jackpot.
Furthermore, it will be of even greater interest to progressive jackpot Twenty-
One
players if someone who plays the side bet wins the jackpot and all players at
the same
gaming table who also played the side bet would be entitled to an equal or
lesser share of
the jackpot winnings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The method and apparatus of the present invention comprise a gaming table top
suitable for progressive jackpot side betting and ways to accomplishing same.
The
invention provides a gaming table top having one or more gaming stations for
individual
players. The station of each individual player is colour co-ordinated. For
instance, there
can be seven stations with each station bearing a different colour-coded
wagering area.
Each player has a player's banking centre in the vicinity of his/her wagering
area. The bank
allows the player to accumulate gaming dollars to play the progressive side
betting. For
each hand of the game the player wishes to take part in the side bet, one
dollar will be
deducted from the player's bank. If a player who participates in the side bet
wins, the dealer
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can conveniently electronically "deposit" the player's share of winning
dollars into his/her
bank.
The gaming table is provided with a large progressive alphanumeric LED display
in
the middle, the location of which allows all the players to clearly view the
display. The LED
display enables the house to show the amount of the accumulative jackpot at
every hand.
Additional messages can also be keyed into the display directed towards the
players.
The gaming table also includes a command centre key pad for use by the dealer
to
interact with each player electronically, including withdrawing from and
crediting to a player's
bank. The key pad comprises other control buttons such as Start Hand and End
Hand
buttons, confirm and cancel buttons etc. The dealer may use any of these
buttons to control
the flow of the game, as well as to interact with individual players.
The sequence of actions during the betting and playing of the hands according
to
this invention typically consists of:
~ players wager on the casino game (e.g. Blackjack) and making side bets for
the
progressive jackpot;
~ the dealer starts the round of play by pressing the Start Hand button;
~ cards are dealt to all players who have made a wager and to the dealer;
~ the hands of the players are finalised one at a time starting with the first
player and
proceeding sequentially therefrom in a clockwise direction;
~ player's wager is collected or that player is paid winnings if it can be
determined at
that time whether the player has won or lost;
~ the dealer's hand is finalised once the hands of all the players have been
finalised;
~ each player's wager is collected or winnings are paid depending on whether
the
player has won or lost;
~ a determination is made as to whether or not a Specialty Hand has occurred
during
the round and any winners are paid according to the type of Specialty Hand
that has
occurred;
~ the dealer ends the round of play by pressing the End Hand button.
The method of playing an enhanced variation of Twenty-One of the present
invention
involves a playing method called "Color It Up" TM. This is similar to
traditional Twenty-One
played in casinos. The game consists of one or more players and a dealer who
deals the
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cards for the house. The playing cards used are special cards designed for
this game -
each deck of fifty two cards is entirely one colour on the face side, thirteen
of each suit.
Multiple colour-coded cards may also be used. Besides the traditional
blackjack winnings, a
player also wins his hand if his cards fall into one of many predetermined
arrangements (the
"Specialty Hand").
To elevate the level of interest to progressive jackpot Blackjack players, the
present
invention provides for yet another playing method known as "Pay The Table"TM.
The eight
decks of specially colour-coded cards used in this game is similar to those
used in the Color
It Up game. The major difference in Pay The Table is that at the start of each
hand, each
player puts a dollar into a progressive jackpot which may optionally be
connected to other
tables. If any player at the table gets a Specialty Hand, then every player at
the table who
played their dollar on that hand also wins money from the jackpot. In another
embodiment
of Pay The Table only players who played the dollar in the progressive jackpot
may win
Specialty Hands, and in doing so every player who played the side bet on that
hand would
also win from the jackpot.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and
method
to enable casino card game players to participate in an electronic side bet
progressive
jackpot without the need to use tokens to indicate their intention to play.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic bank
for each
casino game player.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a command centre
key pad
for use by casino game dealers to interact with the players and their banks by
electronic
means.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a predetermined
card
combination which employs colour-coded playing cards for playing conventional
Blackjack.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide opportunities
for all those
who take part in a progressive jackpot at a given table to win, even if only
one or some of
the players at the table wins in accordance with a predetermined Specialty
Hand
arrangement.
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Accordingly, the present invention provides an electronic side bet progressive
jackpot gaming table apparatus comprising a color-coded player's banking
centre, including
a coin slot means, player electronic button means and associated digital
display means; and
a dealer key pad, said key pad providing a plurality of dealer electronic
button means for a
dealer to suitably operate a side bet progressive jackpot game.
The present invention further provides a method of playing a casino table card
game
using an electronic side bet progressive jackpot gaming table apparatus
comprising the
following sequential steps:
(a) players wager on a Blackjack game and make side bets for a progressive
jackpot;
(b) the dealer starts the round of play by pressing a Start Hand button on a
dealer's key pad;
(c) cards are dealt to all players who have made a wager and to the dealer;
(d) the hands of the players are finalised one at a time starting with the
first
player and proceeding sequentially therefrom;
(e) that player's wager is collected or winnings paid if it can be determined
at that
time whether the player has won or lost;
(f) the hand of the dealer is finalised once the hands of all the players have
been
finalized;
(g) each player's wager is collected or winnings paid depending on whether the
player has won or lost;
(h) a determination is made as to whether or not a winning combination hand
has
occurred during the round and any winners are paid according to the type of
winning combination hand that has occurred; and
(i) the dealer ends the round of play by pressing the End Hand button on the
dealer's key pad.
The present invention also provides for a method of playing a casino Blackjack
game, comprising the steps of:
(a) players position themselves at a gaming table with color-coded play
stations;
(b) players wager on the Blackjack game and, optionally, make side bets for a
progressive jackpot;
(c) a dealer starts the round of play by dealing to each player cards from a
combined deck of cards made up of a plurality of standard decks of playing
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cards except that each deck is of one color, with each said color matching
that of the player's station;
(d) cards are dealt to all players who have made a wager and to the dealer;
(e) the hands of the players are finalised one at a time starting with the
first
player;
(f) that player's wager is collected or winnings paid if it can be determined
at that
time whether the player has won or lost;
(g) the dealer's hand is finalised once the hands of all the players have been
finalized;
(h) each player's wager is collected or winnings paid depending on whether the
player has won or lost; and
(i) a determination is made as to whether or not a winning combination hand
has
occurred during the round and any winners are paid according to the type of
winning combination hand that has occurred.
The present invention further provides a method of playing a casino Blackjack
game,
comprising the steps of:
(a) players position themselves at a gaming table with color-coded play
stations;
(b) players wager on the Blackjack game and, optionally, making side bets for
the progressive jackpot;
(c) a dealer starts the round of play by dealing to each player cards from a
combined deck of cards made up of a plurality of standard decks of playing
cards except that each deck is of one color, with each said color matching
that of the player's station;
(d) cards are dealt to all players who have made a wager and to the dealer;
(e) the hands of the players are finalised one at a time starting with the
first
player;
(f) that player's wager is collected or winnings paid if it can be determined
at that
time whether the player has won or lost;
(g) the dealer's hand is finalised once the hands of all the players have been
finalised;
(h) each player's wager is collected or winnings paid depending on whether the
player has won or lost;
(i) a determination is made as to whether or not a winning combination hand
has
occurred during the round and any winners are paid according to the type of
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winning combination hand that has occurred; and
(j) all other players who participated in the side bet jackpot are paid the
same or
a lesser amount as the player who was dealt the winning combination hand.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a gaming table layout showing the
players' banking
centres, progressive jackpot display and dealer's key pad of the present
invention;
Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a player's bank of the present invention; and
Figure 3 shows a dealer's command centre key pad of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
For this description of the preferred embodiment, the electronic side bet
progressive
jackpot apparatus of the present invention is used in conjunction with table
card games
known as "Color It Up" and "Pay The Table° as described below. However,
the electronic
side bet progressive jackpot apparatus disclosed herein can be played alone or
with other
casino games, and the present invention is not limited to use with the game
disclosed in this
description of the preferred embodiment.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, each player at a gaming table 10 has a colour-
coded
playing position with a corresponding colour-coded "player's banking centre"
200 below a
wager area on the table layout. This player's banking centre 200 is comprised
of a three
digit LED display 202, a coin slot 201 and a colored button 203 which matches
the player's
colour on the table layout. The player's banking centre 200 is used in
conjunction with the
progressive side bet and not the player's wager against the house.
The player's banking centre's LED display 202 shows the current amount of
money
in that player's bank. There are three ways for money to be deposited in the
player's bank
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(not shown). One way is for the players to actually drop dollar coins into the
coin slot 201
into their bank. The player may drop coins at any time during the game. For
every dollar
dropped, the dollar amount in the player's bank will increase by one dollar.
The action of
dropping coins by the player does not automatically qualify him for playing
the progressive
jackpot side bet.
The player may also choose to have the dealer deposit money into his bank. The
player would pass money and/or casino chips to the dealer and ask to have them
deposited
into his bank. Using a command centre key pad 100, the dealer would then
deposit the
corresponding amount into the player's bank. For every dollar deposited, the
dollar amount
in the player's bank will increase by one dollar. The action of depositing
money by the
dealer does not automatically qualify the player for playing the side bet.
Winning the Blackjack Specialty Hands or the regular hands is the third way
money
is deposited into the player's bank. With respect to Specialty Hands, every
time a same
coloured Blackjack or matching coloured Blackjack (to be described in more
detail later) is
hit by a player, the corresponding payout is deposited into each player's bank
who has
played the side bet. The dealer, using the key pad 100, would enter the
Specialty Hand
which was won. In turn, the system would deposit the appropriate winnings,
deducted from
the progressive jackpot, into the bank of each player who had played the side
bet, all carried
out electronically. For winnings on the regular hands, money is deposited into
the player's
bank in a similar fashsion.
According to the present invention, there are also three ways money is
deducted
from the player's bank. One way is by playing the side bet by pressing the
colored button
203. Each time the side bet is played, one dollar is automatically deducted,
by the system,
from the player's bank. The system will deduct one dollar from the bank of
each player
playing the side bet every time the dealer presses a Start Hand button 103.
Once the Start
Hand button 103 has been pressed, the colored button 203 of each player who
had played
the side bet would be lit. To play the side bet, players must have at least
one dollar in their
bank.
The other two ways money is deducted from the player's bank are by the player
choosing to withdraw money from his bank or cashing out entirely. A player may
choose to
withdraw any amount of money in his bank. The player would simply make this
request to
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CA 02243738 1999-09-03
the dealer, who would perform the transaction using the key pad 100. The
requested
amount of money would be given to the player and automatically deducted from
the player's
bank. A player may also choose to cash out his bank entirely. Once again this
request is
made to the dealer by the player. The dealer, using the key pad 100, would
perform the
transaction. The system would than reset the player's bank at zero amount.
As discussed earlier, another element of the player's bank is the player's
colored
button 203. Each playing position on the table has a corresponding colored
button 203
forming part of the player's banking centre 200. The colored button 203 is an
indicator as to
whether or not the side bet has been played by the player. The colored button
is always in
one of two modes: it is either lit, indicating the player is playing the side
bet; or it is not lit,
indicating the player is not playing the side bet.
If the player's colored button 203 is not lit, then that player is not playing
in the side
bet. The player may have money in his bank, and may play as many consecutive
hands as
he chooses without playing the side bet. No money will be deducted from or
added to the
player's bank when the side bet is not being played.
When the player's colored button 203 is lit, that player is playing the side
bet. To
light his colored button the player would be required to actually push his
colored button.
One of the unique feature of the present invention is that the player may
press his colored
button at any time. As soon as the colored button is pressed, the system will
immediately
acknowledge each press of the colored button, but, depending on the situation,
may or may
not take immediate action regarding that pressing action. Whether or not the
Colored
button lights up when pressed by the player depends on certain situations,
including the time
of the push, the amount of money in the player's bank, and the mode of the
Colored button
when pushed.
There are two Colored button modes when it is being pressed by a player:
Mode I - When there is no money in the player's bank - the player may press
the
Colored button but the system will take no action because the player's bank is
empty. The
button may be incorporated to flash, blink, beep or some other type of warning
signal to alert
the player when their player's bank reaches zero.
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Mode II - When there is money in the player's bank - the player presses the
colored
button and the system would acknowledge this push, but depending on the stage
of the
round, may or may not take immediate action regarding that press:
The system takes immediate action - if the player's push came after End Hand
button 104 has been pushed by the dealer and before the Start Hand button 103
had been
pushed. The system would simply change the mode, similar to turning a light
switch on or
off. If the colored button was already lit, it would be turned off. If the
colored button was not
lit, it would become lit, being turned on.
If the colored button 203 was turned on at the time of the push by the player,
it would
now be turned to the off mode. The system would turn off the player's colored
button. No
action toward the player's bank would be taken when the dealer presses the
Start Hand
button 103, but the system would lock out the player's colored button from
playing the side
bet on that particular hand. The player would not be involved in the side bet
on that
particular hand. Until the next action by the player occurs, the player's
Colored button would
remain in the off mode.
If the colored button 203 was turned off at the time of the push by the
player, it would
now be turned to the on mode. The system would light the player's Colored
button
immediately. When the dealer presses the Start Hand button 103, the system
would lock in
the player's colored button as playing the side bet on that hand, as well as
automatically
deducting a dollar from the player's bank. Until the next pressing action by
the player
occurs the player's Colored button would remain in the on mode and each push
of the Start
Hand button would automatically deduct money from the player's bank until the
player's
bank became empty, thus the "continuous play" feature.
The system would acknowledge player's press but would delay any action - The
system would acknowledge the player's push when the player has money in his
bank, but
take no immediate action on the push, if the player's push comes after the
dealer pushed
the Start Hand button 103 and before the dealer pushes the End Hand button
104. In other
words this push by the player came during the playing of the round.
After the dealer pushes the End Hand button 104, the system would then take
action
on the push made by the player during the round. If the Colored button 203 was
on at the
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time of the push by the player it would now be turned off. Until the next
pressing action by
the player occurs, the player's Colored button would remain in the off mode.
If the Colored
button was off at the time of the push by the player it would now be turned
on. When the
dealer presses the Start Hand button 103 a dollar would be deducted from the
player's
bank. Until the next pressing action by the player occurs, the player's
Colored button would
remain in the on mode, and each push of the Start Hand button would
automatically deduct
money from the player's bank until the player's bank becomes empty.
Referring to Figure 3, in the electronic side bet progressive jackpot
apparatus of the
present invention, the dealer is provided with a command centre key pad 100.
The pad is
used when Specialty Winning Hands appear on the table. It is also used when
players wish
to cash in or out, and to start and end a hand.
The key pad 100 is turned on and off by a dealer's key inserted in a key pad
slot
110. The key would normally be in the off position when the table is not in
use. Illumination
of off light 111 indicates the table is not in use. When the table is
functioning the key would
be in the on position with on light 109 being lit.
When a Specialty Hand is hit by a player, the dealer need only press Winner
button
101, key in the number of starting hands that were in that round and the
corresponding
number of players who have made a side bet for that round, then corresponding
Specialty
Hand button 108 (more specifically, one of Specialty Hand buttons 108A to
108F), followed
by Confirm Button 102. Depending on the kind of Specialty Hand being hit, a
microprocessor or computer would add the winning amount to the bank of each
player who
had played the side bet on that hand, as well as deducting the proper dollar
amount from the
progressive jackpot.
When a player chooses to have the dealer deposit money in the player's bank,
the
dealer would press a Coins In button 105, enter the amount on numeric key pad
112,
followed by pushing a Player's color button 114, and to confirm the
transaction by pressing
the Confirm button 102. The microprocessor or computer would than update the
player's
bank display to reflect the deposited amount. Similarly, when a player chooses
to cash out
his bank, he has two options. He may choose to empty his entire bank. The
dealer would
press Cash Out button 106, the Player's Color button 114 (more specifically,
one of the
Player's Color buttons 114A to 114H), followed by the Confirm button 102.
Alternatively, the
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player may choose to withdraw an amount of money less than the amount in the
bank. The
dealer would then press Cash Out button 106, enter the dollar amount the
player wishes to
withdraw, press the Player's Color button 114 and then the Confirm button 102.
The Start Hand button 103 and the End Hand button 104 are used on every hand
by
the dealer. Before the dealer deals any cards to any player, and after all
wagers and side
bets are placed, the dealer would press the Start Hand button. Once the Start
Hand button
is pressed all side bets are locked in. Pressing the Start Hand button also
will lock out any
player who thereafter attempts to play the side bet on that particular hand.
When a player
presses his Colored button 203 after the Start Hand button 103 has been
pressed, whether
to play or not to play the side bet, the system will recognize the action by
the player, but will
not carry out that action until the End Hand button 104 is pressed. The system
will also
record the exact time the Start Hand button was pressed.
As suggested by the name, the End Hand button is used to register the end of
the
hand. The dealer would hit the End Hand button 104 as soon as he recognizes
that no
Specialty Hands have been hit at the table. After the End Hand button is
pressed the
system would then allow the players to turn the side bet ON or OFF. The system
will always
recognize the player's last action regarding the side bet.
The dealer's command centre key pad 100 is also provided with a Cancel button
113, which may be used to nullify any action by the dealer prior to the
pressing of the
Confirm button.
The Digital Display 107 on the key pad 100 can be a LED display. The digital
display
will prompt the dealer and display the end result of any action taken by the
dealer, i.e. Coins
In, Cash Out, etc.
In addition to the Digital Display provided on the dealer's key pad 100, the
apparatus
according to the present invention also comprises a unique LED progressive
jackpot display
20 located on the gaming table layout, directly in the players' line of vision
(see Figure 1 ).
The LED progressive jackpot display 20 can serve multiple purposes. The
display
can show the progressive jackpot total. It can also be used to scroll messages
(e.g.,
Congratulations, Payouts, etc.). The display can be used by the casino for
both internal and
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external advertising.
The progressive jackpot may be built by a single table, a network of tables
within the
casino, or on a wide area progressive jackpot "system". All Specialty Hands
won at the
tables are deducted from the progressive jackpot. The unwon portion will be
accumulated in
the jackpot.
In a typical game, the players wager on the casino game being played
(Blackjack in
the present embodiment) according to the rules of that casino game. Each
player may also
make a side bet. Initially, a player makes a side bet by activating the
Colored button 203 by
pressing it. The side bet can be withdrawn until it is "locked in" once play
of the round starts.
(If the button is pressed during the play of a round, the activation will be
delayed until the
end of the round and will take effect only in the next round of play). Once
activated, the
Colored button 203 will remain ON until the Player turns it OFF by pressing it
again.
Similarly, the Colored button 203 will remain OFF until the Player turns it ON
by pressing it
again. Once the Player presses the Colored button 203, the computer then
either takes
immediate action or delayed action (as described earlier).
The dealer starts the round of play by pressing the Start Hand button 103. The
computer records into memory which players have made a side bet and a dollar
is deducted
from each of their player's banks for the side bet. A predetermined percentage
of this
amount, for example 80%, is added to the progressive jackpot and the remainder
is taken
by the house as revenue. Side bets are now locked in for this round and
additional side bets
are locked out until the next round.
The dealer then deals the cards and resolves winners and losers of each hand,
paying winners and collecting the wagers of losers. During this phase, the
dealer notes
whether any Specialty Hands have occurred.
The payout of the side bet will be described hereinafter with reference to a
shared
jackpot payout game such as Pay the Table. If a Specialty Hand has occurred,
then the
players who have made a side bet (Qualifying Players) for this round are
entitled to be paid
an amount determined from the Specialty Hand payout schedule (discussed
below). This
money comes from the jackpot. The dealer effects the payout, if a Specialty
Hand has
occurred, by pressing the Winner button 101; inputting the number of starting
hands;
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identifying the number of Qualifying Players using the numeric key pad 112;
identifying the
Specialty Hand which has occurred by using the Specialty Hand buttons (108A to
108F);
and pressing the Confirm button 102. The computer then uses the Specialty Hand
payout
schedule and the number of Qualifying Players to determine a payout amount to
each
Qualifying Player. If the payout amount is less than a predetermined amount,
for example
$500, the computer deposits that amount directly into the Player's bank of
each Qualifying
Player. If the amount exceeds the predetermined amount or the total of a
Qualifying Player's
balance and the payout amount exceeds a predetermined limit, for example $999,
then the
dealer is instructed via Digital Display 107 on key pad 100 to make the payout
manually.
The computer then deducts the total amount of the winning payouts from the
progressive
jackpot. In the exceptional situation where more than one Specialty Hand
occurs during a
round, the payout amount is the largest payout from any single Specialty Hand.
A similar
procedure with appropriate modifications is followed in games without a shared
jackpot.
The Dealer ends the round of play by pressing the End Hand button 104. The
computer system then clears the memory of all players who have made a side
bet. The
computer system also executes any delayed side bet actions as previously
described.
The method of playing the "Color It Up" Blackjack game can be described as
follows.
The game consists of up to seven players and a dealer who deals the cards for
the house.
It may be played with four or more decks of special playing cards. The game is
best played
with seven or eight decks of cards. The more decks used in Color It Up, the
better the
house odds and the higher the payouts to the players.
The faces of the special playing cards are the same as a standard deck of
playing
cards, however each deck used is a separate color. To further explain this,
each deck of
fifty-two cards are entirely one color on the face side. The colors could be
any color, but
would match the colors on the table adjacent the respective player positions.
For example,
there can be eight colors on the table, namely red, green, blue, yellow,
black, purple, brown
and orange. UVhereas a standard deck of playing cards would include black
spades and
clubs, and red hearts and diamonds, the cards in the blue deck according to
this invention
would all be blue, and be all yellow in the yellow deck, all green in the
green deck, and so
forth.
The game Color It Up is played on a Color It Up table. The table consists of
seven
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betting areas, one for each player who may play the game. Each player's
betting area is
denoted by a different color. The decks of playing cards and the colors on the
playing table
must match.
During the game, each player places a wager in their colored square on the
table
layout. Like traditional Blackjack each player has a location in front of them
where they
place their bets. Each location occupies a color for up to seven colors.
Accordingly, there
are seven different colored spaces on the table layout. After all players make
their wagers
the dealer will deal the cards. The deal is from the dealer's left to his
right and then his own
card, then a second card to each player and the dealer, as in traditional
Blackjack. The
game may be played with the players' cards face up or face down. The dealer
will flip one
of his two cards face up for all players to see. The player to the dealer's
left will either stand
or hit (take another card). The player is playing his hand against the dealer,
who is playing
his hand against all the players on the table. The object is to be the closest
to 21 without
going over, which is called busting. Aces may be designated as one or eleven.
If a player
busts he automatically loses his wager to the house. After all players have
played their
hands the dealer flips his second card face up and plays his hand. The dealer
must hit until
he has 17 or more and must stay after reaching any total of 17 or more. Some
casinos may
choose to stay on a soft 17, i.e. a hand including an ace which can total
either 7 or 17, but
this must be stated clearly on the Color It Up table. If the dealer beats or
ties the player's
hand in Color It Up the dealer wins the player's wager. If the player's hand
beats the
dealer's hand than the player wins. Blackjacks (a two card 21 in the players
first two cards)
pays 3 to 2. If the player wins, the casino pays the player's wager. The
player may receive
bigger payoffs for making certain Specialty Hands. These Specialty Hand
combinations win
regardless of whether the dealer beats the player or not. Casinos may
stipulate various
other playing rules such as doubling down, or splitting of certain hands.
The payoffs may vary from each casino and depend on the number of decks being
used in the game. All payoffs are on the players original hand, and do not
count on split
hands. The player wins their wager if they tie (push) or lose against the
house's hand on
any of the specialty winning hands. In other words, according to the present
invention, all
Specialty winning Hands are automatic winners. The following is a list of
Specialty winning
Hands and typical payoffs which may vary from casino to casino:
Specialty winning Hands Payout to one
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lp aver
Any same colored Blackjack 10
Player's same colored Blackjack - Ace & King, Queen or Ten 25
Player's same colored Blackjack - Ace & Jack 50
Six, Seven, Eight - any same color 100
Six, Seven, Eight - player's same color 200
Three Sevens - any same color 200
Three Sevens - player's same color 500
Four Five's - any same color 1000
Four Five's - player's same color 2000
The following Example serves to illustrate the operation of a Specialty
winning Hand:
A player playing the Green space wagers $10 per hand. If that player is dealt
a Red
ace and a Green king in his first two cards, this is only a Blackjack and pays
3 to 2 ($15). If
the ace was also Green in this example then he would have had a "player's same
color
Blackjack" Special winning Hand. This would pay 25 to 1 ($250). If the Green
player had
received a Red ace and Red jack, this would have paid 10 to 1 ($100). If, on
another hand,
the same Green player gets a Six, Seven and Eight for 21, and if the three
cards are the
same color he would win 100 times his wager, unless they were Green, in which
case he
would win 200 times his wager.
With respect to the game "Pay The Table", it can be described as follows.
Pay The Table is played on a specially designed Pay The Table table.
Preferably,
the game also uses eight decks of specially colored playing cards similar to
those used in
the Color It Up card game. The most significant difference in Pay The Table is
that, at the
start of every hand, each player puts a dollar into a progressive pot which is
connected to
other tables. If any player at the table gets a Specialty Hand, then every
player at the table
who paid a dollar on that hand into the progressive pot also wins money from
the jackpot,
hence the name "Pay The Table".
Up to seven players may play at a Pay The Table table at one time. The table
has a
different colored betting square for each player. This square is where each
player would
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4~
place his wager at the start of each hand. The table is equipped with a
player's banking
centre according to the present invention. Players press their own Colored
button to take
part in the progressive side bet, at which time, a dollar will be deducted
from that player's
bank after the dealer presses the Start Hand button 103. A percentage of this
dollar is then
registered in the progressive jackpot.
The following is a list of Specialty winning Hands for Pay The Table and
typical
payoffs which may vary from casino to casino:
Specialty winning Hands Payoff Table ins
Three same colored Sevens - matching player's color Jackpot
Any three same colored Sevens 1000 Each
Same colored 6, 7, 8 - matching player's color 500 Each
Any same colored 6, 7, 8 250 Each
Same colored Blackjack - matching player's color 50 Each
Any same colored Blackjack 10 Each
These payouts may vary slightly depending on the casino, but will remain
constant
for each table connected to the same progressive jackpot.
At the start of a hand each player places a bet in their betting place on the
table.
Players also press their colored button if they wish to participate in the
progressive jackpot.
The dealer then deals two cards to each player, as well as to himself. The
dealer has one
card face up and one face down, so the players only see one dealer card. As in
traditional
Blackjack, the players then each play their hand starting with the player on
the dealer's left.
The object in Blackjack is to be closer to 21 than the dealer, without going
over 21 (busting).
Players may split cards of equal value and double down as long as these plays
follow the
posted casino rules. After the players have all played their hands, the dealer
then flip his
hole card. If the dealer has less than 17, the dealer must keep taking cards
until a hand of
17 or more is made. If the dealer's hand goes over 21, then all players who
did not bust,
automatically win their hands. Some casinos will hit a soft 17 hand. This will
be posted at
the table if the casino requires the dealer to hit soft 17, or whether he must
stand on any 17.
The casino then pays or collects each players bet, depending on who won or
lost the hand.
If there is a push the player keeps his wager. A two card Blackjack usually
pays 3 to 2.
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r
If any player at the table hits a Specialty Hand, then every player at the
table who
entered the progressive jackpot also wins. Depending on the Specialty Hand
that is hit,
players may win from $10 to the jackpot amount. If the jackpot is won then
every
participating player at the table splits the jackpot equally.
For both Color It Up and Pay The Table, the payout schedules on the table are
minimum payouts. This will be stated on the gaming table. With the exception
of the jackpot
Specialty Hand (three same colored Seven in the player's colour), the winning
schedule of
the other five Specialty Hands is derived using the formula: (Specialty Hands
winning payoff
x 7) + number of participating hands at table (excluding dealer's hand). In
the case of the
jackpot Specialty Hand, the jackpot will be split equally among the players at
the table who
played with the side bet on that particular hand. The aforementioned winning
formula is
designed so that players would not be required to play at a full table to take
advantage of
the odds in the game. Rather, all payoffs are based on the actual number of
starting hands
dealt at the table, minus that of the dealer's.
The following Tables illustrate the payout schedules according to the five
Specialty
Hands:
Any Same Colored Blackjack
Coins ,. _"
In Players
At
Table
(not
including
dealer)
1 player2 players3 players4 players5 players6 players7 players
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 70 35 24 18 14 12 10
2 --- 35 24 18 14 12 10
3 --- --- 24 18 14 12 10
4 --- --- --- 18 14 12 10
5 --- --- --- --- 14 12 10
___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 12 10
7 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 10
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Matching Blackjack
Coins Players
In At
Table
(not
including
dealer)
1 player2 players3 players4 players5 players6 players7 players
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 350 175 117 88 70 59 50
2 --- 175 117 88 70 59 50
3 --- --- 117 88 70 59 50
4 --- --- --- 88 70 59 50
5 --- --- --- --- 70 59 50
6 --- --- --- --- --- 59 50
7 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 50
20 Same Colored 6,7,8
Coins Players
In At
Table
(not
including
dealer)
1 player2 players3 players4 players5 players6 players7 players
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 1750 875 584 438 350 291 250
2 --- 875 584 438 350 291 250
3 --- --- 584 438 350 291 250
4 --- --- --- 438 350 291 250
5 --- --- --- --- 350 291 250
6 --- --- --- --- --- 291 250
7 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 250
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Matching 6,7,8
Coins Players
In At
Table
(not
including
dealer)
1 player2 players3 players4 players5 players6 players7 players
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 3500 1750 1167 875 700 584 500
2 --- 1750 1167 875 700 584 500
3 --- --- 1167 875 700 584 500
4 --- --- --- 875 700 584 500
S --- --- --- --- 700 584 500
6 --- --- --- --- --- 584 500
7 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 500
Same Colored 7,7,7
Coins Players
In At
Table
(not
including
dealer)
1 player2 players3 players4 players5 players6 players7 players
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1 7000 3500 2334 1750 1400 1167 1000
2 --- 3500 2334 1750 1400 1167 1000
3 --- --- 2334 1750 1400 1167 1000
4 --- --- --- 1750 1400 1167 1000
5 --- --- --- --- 1400 1167 1000
6 --- --- --- --- --- 1167 1000
7 ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ ___ 1000
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With the exception of the jackpot, all other payoffs are calculated by the
computer system using the aforesaid formula. These payoffs show on the digital
display of
the dealer's key pad as well as the LED Display on the table centre. After the
dealer keys
the required information into the key pad, the specific payout is paid to the
players at the
table, by the dealer. Preferably, for the Any Same Colored Blackjack, the
winning amount
would be credited to the players' bank by the dealer using the tatter's key
pad.
When the jackpot is won, every player at the table who took part in the side
bet
is an automatic winner from the progressive jackpot. The entire jackpot is
split evenly
between these players, and is not based on the total hands at the table, as is
the case with
the other Specialty Hands.
All Specialty Hands are paid automatically from the progressive jackpot.
However, the players may still lose or push their wager with the casino. The
Specialty Hand
payoffs are not paid out after splitting of the players original hand, except
in the rare
situation where a player has two Same Colored Sevens and it is in the player's
best interests
to split the Sevens. If the first card drawn to the split hand is the Seven
needed to complete
the Specialty Hand, this would still be a legal winning hand for the table,
for the reason that a
player should never be penalized, in the playing of his or her hand, when it
comes to
Specialty Hands.
If the house shows an ace, asks for insurance, and has a Blackjack, the hand
is
over even though a potential Specialty Hand may have existed at the table
(i.e. two same
colored Sevens in one hand). However, a Specialty Blackjack here would still
be a winning
hand from the progressive jackpot. Players are required to give proper hit and
stand signals
when a Specialty Hand exists at the table. All exposed cards shall be burnt
(i.e. discarded).
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