Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
MULTI-DECK PLAYING CARD SET AND
METHOD OF PLAYING CARD GAMES USING SAME
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a mufti-deck playing card set and a method
for
playing card games using same, wherein card games can be played on an
electronic
is video gaming machine or live as a casino or home table game and wherein two
or
more decks of cards are shuffled together and used to deal the initial card
hand and the
replacement cards for discarded cards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
zo [0003] Various card decks and methods of playing cards are described in the
prior
art. The standard fifty-two card deck is the basis for a multitude of games
including
some of the most popular games: bridge, poker, solitaire, rummy, and many
others.
Many of these games are played for awards based on achieving certain card
combinations. The mathematical odds inherent in using a standard fifty-two
card deck
25 limit the size of the award that can be paid for the highest possible hand.
These games
have not previously been played with an enhanced award system based on the
lower of
achieving certain card combinations across all decks in the use of a mufti-
deck card
set.
[0004] It is preferable that a mufti-deck card set be developed and used to
provide
30 further enhanced awards based on lower probabilities of achieving various
card
combinations. It is also preferable that the game has the flexibility to be
played with
a variable number of standard card decks to combine for the mufti-deck card
set.
Using multiple decks in playing certain card games increases the odds that a
specific
event could lxappen. For example, holding three jacks from the same deck can
be
3s designated as a winning hand. Thus, the odds can be increased, and a higher
award
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
offered because this hand is more difficult to achieve than holding three
jacks from
any of the individual decks in a multiple deck set. Additionally, it is
preferable that
new and unique combinations of winning cards be made available from all decks
.
present in the mufti-deck card set.
[00051 For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for muhi-deck card sets
which
to provide flexibility in the number of decks to be combined as well as an
option to
develop winning card combinations requiring the presence of cards from all
individual
decks.
[0006] Various designs for playing card decks and methods of playing are
disclosed
in the prior art. U.S. Patent No. 5,887,873 entitled "Unique Deck of Playing
Cards"
15 discloses a deck of cards characterized by a trilateral organization of
suit, rotor, and
value. The cards have an improved layout and gender neutral picture cards.
Each card
has a unique combination of a single suit, single color, or single value. This
patent
does not disclose a caxd deck using standard playing card indicia. U.S. Patent
No.
5,775,992 entitled "Method of Playing" discloses a method of playing cards
which
2o includes shuffling five decks of playing cards together and allowing higher
awards to
be paid for certain winning combinations based on the presence of multiple
standard
fifty-two card decks. None of the disclosures in these patents teach or
suggest a multi-
deck card set which provides for flexibility in using various numbers of card
decks for
playing traditional card games or which allows higher awards for pre-selected
winning
25 combinations based on the presence of cards from all decks as indicated by
a unique
mark or indicia for cards associated with each individual deck in a mufti-deck
set.
SUMMARY OF THfi 1NYENTTON
[0007) An object of the present invention is to provide a mufti-deck playing
card set
3o suitable as a replacement for a standard fifty-two card deck in traditional
card games.
The mufti-deck card set is formed by combining all or a portion of at Least
two
standard fifty-two card decks. Each card in the standard deck has a front
side, a back
side, a top portion, and a bottom portion as well as an imprinted design on
both the
front side and the back side. Each playing card is associated with a suit,
such as, but
3s not limited to, spades, hearts, diamonds, or clubs as well as a number
between two
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
and ten inclusively or a letter, A, K, Q, or J. The combination of standard
decks also
includes a unique mark or indieia on each individual card located and visible
on at
least one side of the card and serving to distinguish cards originating witlo
a particular
individual deck. Cards belonging to an individual deck in the mufti-deck set
will have
a unique mark or indicia for each individual deck. A comhination of three
individual
decks in the mufti-deck set would include three unique marks or indicia, for
example.
[000$) In the illustrated embodiment, the mark or indicia, highlighted in
color,
black and white, shades of color, and/or shades of black and white, is located
on the
front side of the card and is in the form of a color coded bar along the top
and bottom
of the front side of each card. The design on the back side of all of the
cards in a
t5 mufti-card set are similar, such that each card in the deck is
indistinguishable from
other cards when viewed from the bank side.
[0009) Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of
playing
card games using the mufti-deck set. The method includes combining at Ieast
two
standard fifty-two card decks, shuffling the cards together to form a mufti-
deck card
20 set, and dealing a number of cards to each player. A player can then select
a number
of initial cards received to discard and exchange those cards with replacement
cards
from the original mufti-deck card set. The player's final hand is then
analyzed to
determine if the card and mark combination is a winning combination. Tn the
illustrated embodiment, any suitable card and mark combination may be
developed as
z5 a winning combination based on the mathematical probability of achieving
certain
card combinations. A player achieving a winning combination may be provided
with
an award.
[0010) The mufti-deck card set of the present invention may also be adapted
for use
in automated or video card playing systems having a video display screen for
viewing
3o available cards. In this embodiment, the mark or indicia, either in color,
black and
white, shades of color, or shades of black and white, located on each card can
also be
associated with a particular sound or feel such that individual card decks
associated
with a specific mark or indicia can also be associated with a particular sound
or feel
when a card from that deck is displayed on the screen. The display screen can
also
3s provide a visual indication alerting a player of the presence of a winning
card
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
s combination. A visual indication may include, but is not limited to,
flashing cards on
the screen, a pop-up box indicating an amount won based on the card and mark
combination, or a chase function simulating a circle around the cards on the
display
screen.
io BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011 ] The features and inventive aspects of the present invention will
become
more apparent upon reading the following detailed description and drawings, of
which
the following is a briefdescription:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows front and back views of a single playing card from a
standard
15 deck of playing cards;
[OOI3] FIG. 2 shows front and back views of a single playing card formed in
accordance with the teaching of the present invention;
[0014) FIG. 3 shows a front view of several playing cards from separate decks
marked in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
20 [0015] FIG. 4 is the back view of the playing cards shown in FIG. 3;
[001 b] FIG. S is a front view of a multi-deck card set formed into different
combinations compared to FIG 3;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a back view of the mufti-deck card set shown in FIG. 5; and
[0018] FIGS. 7A and 7B show possible winning card combinations that may be
zs formed using the mufti-deck card set shown in FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TI-IE INVENTION
[0019] A detailed description of the present invention is described herein
with
reference to the accompanying drawing lagures. Terms of reference such as
"top,"
30 "bottom," "front," or "back" are used to facilitate an understanding of the
present
4
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
invention in view of the accompanying figures. The identified reference terms
or
other similar terms are not intended to be limiting, and one of ordinary skill
in the art
will recognize that the present invention may be practiced in a variety of
spatial
orientations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
[OQ20) The present invention relates to a mufti-deck card set and a method of
to playing card games using the same. The mufti-deck card set is formed by
combining
the cards of two or more standard S2-card decks, wherein the cards have been
modified in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Each
standard
playing card has a front side, and a back side. The front side is sometimes
referred to
as the card face. Bach card also has a top portion, a bottom portion, and side
portion
on each side or face. The mufti-deck card set may be used as a replacement
deck for
any traditional card game. For example, the mufti-deck card set also may be
used in
place of any standard 52-card poker deck, including variations thereof, such
variations
including the addition of Jokers or other Wild Cards commonly known in the
art. ,
[0021 j The cards forming the mufti-deck eactl set may have the size and
2o configuration of playing cards found in a standard S2-card deck. However,
the cards
comprising the mufti-deck card set of the present invention are marked with an
additional mark/indicia. For example, if the markings used include *, % and #,
and
three S2-card decks are used to create the mufti-deck card set, the cards of
one deck
would be marked with *, the cards of the second deck would be marked with %
and
the cards of the third deck would be marked with #. The mark/indicia
associated with
the playing cards is designed to help the player associate a specific card
with a
particular originating deck comprising the mufti-deck card set.
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
[0022) There are literally hundreds of card games that uhilize the traditional
52-card
deck, which games also may be played using the mufti-deck card set. For
example,
the following card games may be played using the mufti-deck card set. One of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the following list is merely
illustrative and
is not intended to be exhaustive;
to 5-Card Draw Poker
All variations including but not limited to;
Jacks or Better
Aces or Better
Deuces Wild
Bonus Poker
5-Card Stud Poker
7-Card Stud Poker
Texas Hold'em
Omaha Hold'em
Caribbean Stud PokerTM
Blackjack
3-Card Poker
Let it RideTM
[0023] The "look" of each game stays basically the same as the card faces and
backs
are not changed, except for the addition of the mark/indicia to one face of
the cards to
distinguish cards belonging to a particular deck. In the illustrated
embodiment, the
marks/indicia are added to and visible on the front side or face of the
playing card.
However, adding the marks/indicia does not interfere with the play of the
game, as the
game rules stay exactly the same as those applied when playing with a standard
52-
card deck or variations thereof that includes Jokers andlor Wild Cards.
[0024] The "feel" of the game stays the same as the players axe playing with
cards
having the same "look," front and back sides, as those that have been used in
the past
(with the only difference being the addition of the marklindicia). However,
the multi-
6
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
deck card set does allow for the implementation of an enhanced award system
based
on the probabilities of obtaining certain card combinations.
[0025) Thus, the mufti-deck card set can be overlaid on virtually any gambling
can
game presently in play. The mufti-deck card set can be utilized to replace any
deck or
decks currently used in electronic poker/card game machines as well as table
games.
to Additionally, new games can be created to utilize the mufti-deck card set
of the
present invention due to the increased ability to generate winning hand
combinations.
[0026] The method of playing card games using the mufti-deck card set can be
played as a Iive casino table game, wherein the cards forming the mufti-deck
card set
are shuffled together and dealt to each player, either by hand, by automatic
shuffler,
is from a dealing shoe or from various card dispensing devices. Alternatively,
the
method of the present invention can be practiced on electronic video gaming
machines
and video lottery machines in which the cards forming the mufti-deck card set
'are
electronically shuffled, and the initial card hand and any replacement cards
are
displayed to the player on a video screen.
2o j0027] FTG. 1 shows the front view of a standard playing card 10 from a
standard
deck of playing cards. The standard playing card 10 is generally made of a
piece of
paper or cardboard that is usually imprinted with a design on the front 11 and
back 16
of the card and then laminated for strength. For example, standard playing
card
dimensions are typically approximately 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. However, card
sizes
25 may vary to accommodate the age and size of the intended user. Thus, card
sizes may
be larger or smaller for younger people or for novelty reasons.
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
s [0028) As best seen in FIG. 1, each standard playing card typically contains
a design
on the backside 16 of the card that is sirnilar to the design on the backside
of all of the
other cards in the set, such that each card is indistinguishable from the
other cards
when viewed from the backside. Further, each standard playing card 1 U
contains a
value or quantity 12, either from two through ten, or a letter, A, K, Q, or J,
representing Ace, King, Queen, or Jack, respectively.
[0029] Each standard playing card also contains a suit 14, either Spades,
Hearts,
Diamonds, or CIubs. Each suit 14 has a separate insignia thereby making it
easier for
the player using the cards to know which suit 14 is indicated on each card. In
the
example shown in FIG. 1, the suit indicated is Spades. Therefore the playing
card
t5 shown in FIG. 1 is the eight (8) of Spades.
[0030] Since each suit contains a card with either the number two through ten,
or
the letters A, K; Q, or J, there are 13 cards per suit. Since there are four
suits, a
standard deck of cards contains 52 cards. In some card decks extra cards are
included
for particular game rules. These extra cards are well known as Jokers or Wild
Cards.
20 [0031 ] FIG. 2 shows a playing card 200 formed in accordance with the
teachings of
this invention. The playing card 200 has a front side 205 and a backside 210.
FIG, 2
merely shows an example of a design that may be printed on the backside 210 of
the
playing card 200, The back design shown in FTG. 2 is simply one example of a
design
that could be applied to the backside 210, and one of ordinary skill in the
art will
2S appreciate that are many different designs that could be used, as long as
the back 2I0
of each card 200 in the mufti-card set contains the same or a similar design.
In the
illustrated embodiment, the backside 210 of all cards 200 are identical,
thereby
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
making all of the cards 200 in the deck indistinguishable from the others when
viewed
from the backside 210.
[0032] The playing card 200, which may be identical in constwction to playing
cards used in standard playing card decks, is constructed of paper, cardboard
or some
other material that can be printed on and subsequently laminated for strength.
For
t 0 example, in the illustrated embodiment, the playing card 200 is made to
the same
approximate size as a standard playing card. A typical size of a standard
playing card
is 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. However, the size of the card is not the essence
of the
present invention and therefore cards of other sizes can be utilized under the
present
invention.
t5 [0033) Each playing card 200, like standard playing cards, is associated
with a
quantity or value 212 such as either a number between two and ten, inclusive,
or a
setter such as A, K, Q, or 1. For example, the card 200 shown in FIG. 2 has
the value
three.
[0034 Also, similar to playing cards comprising a standard playing card deck,
20 playing card 200 is associated with a suit 218, which is indicated on the
front side or
face 205. The suit 218 can be one of four different suits, Spades, Hearts,
Diamonds,
or Clubs. The card shown in FIG. 2 indicates the Spades snit. Therefore, the
card 200
shown in FIG. 2 is the three (3) of Spades.
j0035j The playing card 200 also includes a unique mark or other indicia 214.
As
2s best seen in FIG. 2, the mark or indicia is shown in this embodiment as a
color code
216. FIG. 3 shows examples of other marks or indicia that may be associated
with
playing cards 200, such as a molts-stripe bar, a plurality of small symbols,
or the like.
9
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the mark or indicia 214
could be
configured using many different designs or distinguishing marks, as long as
all
playing cards associated with a single standard playing card deck bear the
same or
vit~tually identical marks or indicia 214. In the illustrated embodiment, the
mark/indicia 214 associated with the cards of a particular deck are identical.
t0 [0036] The mark or indicia 214 may be located anywhere on the card 200 such
as,
but nat limited to, the bottom, top or side of the front side 205. In the
illustration
shown in FIG. 2, the mark/indicia 214 is in the form of a black or color code
216
shown along the top and bottom portions of the front side 20S of the playing
card 200.
FIG. 3 shows playing cards 200 having different mark/indicia 214, thus,
indicating
~s that each card 200 is associated with a different deck comprising the multi-
deck card
set 300. Each playing card 200 in the multi-deck card set 300 is also
associated with a
quantity or value 212 and a suit 218 as in a standard card deck.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows the backside 210 of the playing cards 200 shown in FIG. 3,
wherein the backside 210 of each playing card 200 in the mufti-set deck is
identical,
20 while the front side 205 is marked with a different mark or indicia 214 (as
shown in
Fig. 3 ).
[0038] As best seen in FIG. 5, the mufti-deck card set 300 may be formed by
combining playing cards 200 from two or more standard fifty-two playing card
decks.
As best seen in FIG. S, the playing cards have been modified as described
above with
25 respect to playing card 200. For example, the mufti-deck card set 300 shown
in FIG.
5 was formed by combining playing cards 200 from three standard 52-card decks,
shown at 310, 320, and 330 in Fig. S. The presence of three different
marks/indicia
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
214 on the front side 205 of the playing cards 200 shown in FIG. 5 indicates
that at
least all or a portion of the playing cards 200 from three individual decks
were
combined to fornn the mufti-deck card set 300. One of ordinary skill in the
art will
appreciate that the mufti-deck card set 300 may include extra cards to
accommodate
the play of particular card game rules. These extra cards may include, for
example,
to but are not limited to, Jokers and/or Wild Cards.
[0039] Fig. 6 shows the backside 210 of the playing cards 200 comprising the
multi-
deck card set 300. As shown, the backside 210 of each playing card is
identical in the
mufti-deck card set 300 while the front side 20S is marked with a different
indicia 214
for each of the three individual decks 310, 320, and 330 as shown in Fig. 5.
[0040] The mufti-deck card set 300 permits the play of many common card games
without necessarily varying the rules of the game, while at the same time
allowing for
much higher player awards based on the decreased probabilities of obtaining
certain
card combinations based on the presence of the multiple decks. For example, in
certain game play, a combination of same cards {value and suit}, e.g., all
Aces of
z0 Spade, having different marks/indicia 214 may have a lesser value than a
combination
of cards in which the quantity is the same, e.g., al! Aces, but the suits are
different and
the marklindicia 214 are the same as shown in FIG. 7A. 1n the illustrated
embodiment, winning card combinations, wherein the marks/indicia 2I4 are the
same,
may include three aces in the following combination: one Heart, one Diamond,
one
Club, all from the same deck as is indicated by the black color bar 216 (FIG.
7A}.
Winning card combinations, wherein the mark/indicia 214 are different, may
include
three aces in the following combination: one Heart from the deck marked with a
black
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
color bar, one Diamond from the deck marked with the red and white color bar,
and
one Club from the deck marked with blue stars (FTG. ?B).
(0041 ] For purposes of further illustration, suppose the mufti-deck card set
comprises three individual decks. A hand comprising the three of Hearts from
each
deck (indicia/mark 214 being different for each three of Hearts) rnay have a
lesser
value than a hand comprising the three of hearts, three of spades and three of
diamonds wherein the mark/indicia 214 are the same.
METHOD OF PLAY
(0042) The method of the present invention utilizes two or more individual
decks of
cards all shuffled together to create the mufti-deck card set 300. For
example, if three
decks are used to form the mufti-deck card set 300, this forms a pool of one
hundred
fifty six (156) playing cards from which cards used in the "play" are dealt.
Cards
associated with a specific deck will be indicated by like or similar
marks/indicia 214.
Each of the three decks forming the mufti-deck card set 300 will include at
least a
standard fifty-two card deck of cards having an Ace through Deuce of each suit
of
Spades, Hearts, Diamonds and Clubs.
[0043 For example, Poker played using the mufti-deck card set may include
dealing
a player an initial five-card hand from the mufti-deck card set 300, The
player then
selects which, if any, of the initial five cards the player wishes to discard.
Any cards
the player discards may be replaced by replacement cards fram the original
mufti-deck
card set 300 comprising one hundred fifty six cards. 'fhe player then has a
final five-
card hand.
to
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
[0044] The final five-card hand is analyzed to determine what card and
mark/indicia
combination the player has achieved. Any suitable card and mark/indicia
combinations can be pre-selected as winning combinations. For example, in one
embodiment, two pair, i.e., 2 Kings and 2 Jacks having different marks/indicia
214,
may constitute a pre-selected winning combination. Any suitable card
combinations
to can be pre-selected as winning card combinations. A player who achieves a
winning
card combination may be provided with an award.
[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the winning card combinations are
selected
based on the mathematical probability of achieving certain card combinations.
The
highest awards are provided for the card and mark/indicia combinations that
axe most
~5 difficult to achieve. The following examples illustrate several common card
games
that may be played using the muf ti-deck card set 300.
Example I: PURE$LENDTM Poker
[004b] The PureBlendTM poker game is created to be a new poker game wherein
the
mufti-card deck described above can be overlaid on existing poker games in
play
20 today, since the standard fifty two-card deck typically used may be
replaced with a
mufti-deck card set 300, resulting in the following potential outcomes:
~ The PureBlendTM poker game creates much higher player awards, greatly
increasing player appeal.
The house "hold" may also be increased.
25 . The PureBlendTM poker game could use the most popular "Jacks or
Better" 6/9 pay-table as expert poker players recognize this as the best
opportunity for a positive return. This would be accomplished by
13
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
modifying the pay-table by adding to the standard fifty lwo card deck
another 104 cards (2 additional standard decks) for a total of 156 cards to
be used, enhancing existing card graphics by adding the indicia 214 (color
bars to the tops and bottoms of the card faces)
For example, the pay-table may be created as follows:
to
Creation of a "Pure" hand, which is a winning hand of cards
bearing the same mark/indicia
Creation of a "Blend" hand, which is a winning hand of cards,
wherein the cards do not bear the same markJindicia 214
The award card can stay the same or be added to with new odds applied to
the possible outcomes due to the addition of more cards in play.
We may be able to add another award due to the addition of our custom
deck of cards. This would be a bottom award of all cards having no
winning combinations but having the same color bar.
Example 2: 3-Deck Mufti-Deck Card Set:
[0047) Assuming a mufti-deck card set comprised of three decks of cards: Deck
l,
Deck 2 and Deck 3: Deck 1 cards are marked with indicia comprising a blue
color bar
applied across the top and bottom of the front side of each card; Deck 2 cards
are
marked with indicia comprising a red color bar applied across the top and
bottom of
the front side of each card; and Deck 3 cards are marked with indicia
comprising a
black color bar applied across the top and bottom of the front side of each
card. Total
cards comprising the mufti-deck card set equals one hundred fifty six cards.
I4
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
S [0048] The probabilities are increased as follows:
The odds of drawing an "Ace of Spades" from a traditional fifty two-card deck
are 1 in 52.
The odds of drawing an Ace of Spades (with any color bar) from the 3-deck
multi-deck card set are 3 in 156 (which mathematically equals I in 52 - this
is
how the traditional game odds are similar).
The odds of drawing an Ace of Spades with a BLACK color bar from a 3-deck
mufti-deck card set are I in I56.
The odds of drawing an Ace of Spades with a RED color bar from a 3-deck
15 mufti-deck card set are 1 in 156.
The odds of drawing an Ace of Spades with a BLUE color bar from a 3-deck
mufti-deck card set are 1 in i 56.
With the probabilities being more variable {the lower likelihood of an event
2o happening as there are more cards to draw from) the award, if it is made
available, can
be increased.
Electronic Video Game
[0049} Another embodiment of the present invention is a mufti-deck card set
300
25 that is configured for use in automated or video card playing systems such
as, but not
limited to, electronic video gaming machines. Video gaming machines can
include,
but are not limited to, video poker machines, video blackjack machines, video
lottery
machines, or other similar equipment. To assist with play in a video
environment,
each mark/indicia, either in color, black and white, shades of color, or
shades of black
CA 02559521 2006-09-12
and white, used to distinguish the cards 200 of a particular deck can be
associated
with a particular sound and/or feel (haptics-sense of touch). This arrangement
permits
the individual decks assaeiated with a specific mark/indicia 214 to be
associated with
a sound andlor feel. Thus, cards marked with different marks/indicia 214 will
have a
slightly different sound and/or feel when displayed.
l0 [0050] Cards 200 forming a "Pure" winning hand will bear the same
mark/indicia
214, and the display screen could provide a visual indication alerting the
player of a
winning card combination. For example, the cards 200 may initially flash 3
times for
a specified period of time, e.g., 1/2 second duration. The display screen may
then go
into a "chase" mode of a specifted duration, e.g., four time chase mode from
left to
is right across the top cards and going right to left across the bottom cards
simulating a
circle, which will be completed in a specified time period, e.g., 112 second
duration.
[0051 J The system may also include a pop-up box displayed on the display
screen
that indicates the total amount won. The pop-up box may also include a border
bearing the marks/indicia 214 of the cards comprising the winning hand. The
border
2o may be formed using the chasing effect previously discussed. The system may
also
include a pay-table so that the player knows which are the pre-selected
winning card
combinations.
[0052] The foregoing detailed description of the invention is intended to be
illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Changes and
25 modifications are possible with respect to the foregoing description, and
it is
understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than that
specifically
described herein and still be within the scope of the invention.
16
